Sam Metcalfe seeks tenant for soon-to-close Sam’s of Sevendials restaurant
Metcalfe last week announced he would be closing the restaurant he founded in 2001 in order to concentrate on his other in the seaside town - Sam’s of Brighton – and his burgeoning outside catering business.
Fine-dining reputation
Speaking to BigHospitality this week, Metcalfe said he had been unable to keep up with rising costs while consumers remained unwilling to pay more than the price point the restaurant offered when it was first launched twelve years ago.
“We started out as a fine-dining restaurant, over the years we have branded ourselves more as a bistro, but we have a reputation for fine-dining – it is hard to shake that.
“To produce that sort of food and the service that goes with it – it is not cheap.
“The cost of a box of butter has gone from £15 to £43 in ten years, food prices have doubled. When we first opened, our average spend per head was £30 and people don’t want to pay any more than that,” he explained.
Honourable
Metcalfe revealed the decision to close had been taken before the business started to significantly falter – the restaurant is still in profit.
“We decided to have an honourable restaurant close,” he said. “We made a profit every year but it is just not a big enough one. I could probably make more money with less hassle.”
The 10 staff members have either been offered jobs elsewhere in the business or Metcalfe has helped them find new employment.
Tenant
The chef revealed he was not looking to sell the property and was instead looking for a new tenant to take on the restaurant space.
“We own the building, we have got flats upstairs and we have got planning permission to build more flats.
“If someone offers us a really good price for the freehold we will consider it but at the moment we are looking to get a tenant.
“I have got to pick a tenant that is, in my opinion, going to be able to stay the distance. It could be a small independent or a chain – we have had offers and we have turned quite a few of them down. There is one particular organisation that is very keen,” he revealed.
Since breaking the news, Metcalfe said he had received a number of messages from disappointed customers.
However the chef urged diners to make the trip to try the 60-cover Kemp Town eatery and for members of the restaurant’s members club to pay one last visit to Sevendials where they will receive a free glass of champagne.
