MEATliquor closes huge Clapham Old Town restaurant after less than a year - updated

31-Aug-2022 - Last updated on 31-Aug-2022 at 12:06 GMT

MEATliquor has permanently closed its site in Clapham Old Town, London, less than a year after launching it.

Housed on the site previously occupied by The Yard bar, the restaurant, which opened in September last year, was one of the largest in the MEATliquor estate with 230 seats in total across its indoor dining area and outdoor terrace, two bars and five large TV screens showing live sport.

It was notable as being the first new MEATliquor site to launch following the removal of all lockdown restrictions. At the time, MEATliquor wrote on Instagram: "#fuckcovid we’re opening in Clapham Old Town in September."

MEATliquor confirmed the closure of its Clapham Old Town site on Instagram earlier this week.

The move leaves MEATliquor, which was founded in 2011, with a total of 11 sites, nine of which are located in the capital with regional sites in Leeds and Brighton.

Update - In a statement provided to BigHospitality, MEATliquor founder Scott Collins said the decision to close the site, which was part of a joint venture, was amicable and that all team members are remaining within the company.

He said: "It's not a sad day and it's certainly not with a heavy heart. We took a gamble on a joint venture on the site in Clapham Old town.

"The site didn't set the world on fire and now the owners have had a good offer to buy the site. It's all very amicable and all the team members are remaining with the company."

Collins added that the group is also currently working on two new sites.