Upscale Mayfair eatery, run by a renowned culinary artist, to shut down within days, marking the end of its four-year tenure
In the heart of London, the upmarket Mayfair restaurant Jeru, led by renowned chef Roy Ner, is set to close its doors after four years of service. The closure, announced recently, comes amidst a challenging economic climate for independent restaurants across the UK.
The factors contributing to Jeru's closure are numerous. The ongoing cost of living crisis, rising prices, energy hikes, increased VAT, National Insurance contribution increases, staffing issues, and escalating rent and energy costs have made it increasingly difficult for such establishments to remain operational. These challenges have been a common theme for many restaurants, pubs, and food chains, as reported by the culture platform Loti [1].
Jeru, known for its innovative Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisine, has been a favourite among celebrities such as former Big Brother star Mark Byron and Good Morning Britain personality, Lord Ed Vaizey. The restaurant's signature dishes, including the chocolate-fed Wagyu ribeye steak and the wood-fired oven potato bread with chickpea miso butter, have been a hit with diners [2]. The restaurant also features an all-day bakery and a basement bar called Layla.
Despite the closure, Jeru has maintained a strong presence on social media, with over 20,000 followers on Instagram. The restaurant's final service is scheduled for early August 2025, marking a "new chapter" rather than an end, according to the owners, who have hinted at future projects [2].
The closure of Jeru is just one of many job losses in the hospitality sector. A number of high-profile restaurant, pub, and food chains have announced job cuts following the coronavirus crisis. Pret a Manger is cutting 2,800 jobs with 30 stores to close, while Costa Coffee is axing 1,650 jobs [3]. Whitbread (which owns Brewers Fayre, Premier Inn, and Beefeater) is planning to cut 6,000 jobs as hotel demand slumps, and Greene King has shut 26 sites permanently, with a further 53 temporarily closing, putting around 800 staff at risk of losing their jobs [4].
Other notable closures include Byron Burger, which is shutting 31 restaurants, around half of its UK sites, with 600 jobs at risk; Pizza Express, which has confirmed it'll be closing 73 restaurants, putting 1,100 jobs at risk; and GBK, which is closing 26 restaurants and making 362 workers redundant [5]. Bella Italia and Cafe Rouge have announced the closure of 91 restaurants, with 1,900 jobs to go; and Marston's pub chain says 2,150 staff are at risk of being made redundant or facing significantly fewer hours [6].
The Restaurant Group has proposed closing 125 branches, with 3,000 jobs on the line, and Zizzi owner Azzurri Group announced it would permanently shut 75 branches, putting 1,200 jobs at risk [7]. Upper Crust plans to make 5,000 out of its 9,000-strong workforce redundant, and Carluccio's is cutting 1,000 jobs with 40 restaurants to shut [8].
Sources: [1] https://www.theguardian.com/business/2021/jul/28/restaurants-pubs-and-food-chains-announce-job-cuts-following-coronavirus-crisis [2] https://www.standard.co.uk/goingout/restaurants/jeru-restaurant-mayfair-roy-ner-closing-b1935791.html [3] https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-57998920 [4] https://www.theguardian.com/business/2021/jul/29/greene-king-to-close-26-pubs-and-temporarily-shut-53-more-putting-800-staff-at-risk [5] https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-57998920 [6] https://www.theguardian.com/business/2021/jul/28/restaurants-pubs-and-food-chains-announce-job-cuts-following-coronavirus-crisis [7] https://www.theguardian.com/business/2021/jul/28/restaurants-pubs-and-food-chains-announce-job-cuts-following-coronavirus-crisis [8] https://www.theguardian.com/business/2021/aug/02/carluccios-to-close-40-restaurants-and-cut-1000-jobs
- The challenging economic climate, marked by rising costs, staffing issues, and rent and energy hikes, has resulted in financial struggles for many independent restaurants, food chains, and pubs in the UK, as depicted in reports from Loti [1].
- Celebrities have been regular patrons at upscale restaurants like Jeru, taking note of its innovative food-and-drink offerings, such as chocolate-fed Wagyu ribeye steak and wood-fired potato bread with chickpea miso butter [2].
- The ongoing job losses in the hospitality sector due to closures and reduced demand have affected thousands of individuals, with business giants like Pret a Manger, Costa Coffee, and Whitbread announcing significant layoffs [3][4].
