Tom Simmons continues trading under new ownership [Updated]
A notice posted on public record The Gazette confirmed that the restaurant, trading under the name Tom Simmons Tower Bridge, had administrators from Durkan Cahill appointed on 3 August 2018.
The restaurant is still open and is accepting bookings, following a pre-pack deal deemed to be the best course of action by administrator Michael Durkan.
“Following a business restructure, Tom Simmons will continue to trade at One Tower Bridge," says Berkeley Homes, owner of One Tower Bridge.
"We are confident that the quality of his food will guarantee continued success along with the other restaurants in the development. We are committed to supporting our new and established brands at One Tower Bridge, as it develops into an exciting new destination."
A statement from Simmons confirms that the restaurant is "trading happily", and has maintained the same staff and suppliers following the change in ownership.
Simmons opened the restaurant in summer 2017, six years after he gained recognition for appearing on Masterchef: The Professionals.
The first solo site for the chef, Tom Simmons Tower Bridge serves a menu of British and French cuisine with Welsh influences, including the likes of sourdough bread with whipped leek butter; Welsh lamb loin with potato terrine and courgette; and gnocchi with tarragon, cauliflower and girolles.
The youngest competitor to ever reach the quarter-finals of MasterChef: The Professionals in 2011, Simmons furthered his experience by heading up the kitchen at Wolfcastle Country Hotel in Pembrokeshire, where he was awarded two AA Rosettes.
The news comes less than a week after grand café restaurant group Villandry closed its remaining sites, having also called in administrators after failing to find a turnaround investor for its struggling business.
Story updated 15.08.18 to include responses received from administrators, Simmons and Berkeley Homes.
