Simpsons, the doyen of Birmingham restaurants, is to close after 32 years following the failure of founder Andreas Antona to find a buyer.
Set in a listed Georgian villa in leafy Edgbaston, Simpsons has long set the standard for dining in the Midlands, its kitchen launching the careers of numerous successful chefs.
Andreas put the business up for sale at the beginning of last year on his retirement after 50 years in the industry, but said this week he had “no choice but to close the doors” of the restaurant given that three possible sales had fallen through.
“I didn’t want it to end like this but with the economy as it stands, and so much time and money invested to keep us going, it is the most sensible decision.”
He added: “If it wasn’t for the hard work of the team, digging deep into my own pockets and the loyalty and support of our guests, this moment would have arrived much sooner. In my 50 plus years in hospitality I have never known a more challenging economic climate for restaurants. Our many calls for reasonable government support have fallen on deaf ears.
“The joy and satisfaction of creating and running such a special restaurant for so long and meeting so many wonderful people along the way has made my time at Simpsons memorable. My heartfelt thanks to everyone who has been part of this journey.”
Simpsons’ sister restaurant, the Cross at Kenilworth, remains open as usual.