
Popular restaurant shuts all locations after 20 years on the high street
Ping Pong was launched in 2005 and once boasted 12 locations across London, including popular areas like Southbank, Soho, St. Christopher's Place and St. Paul's.
But Ping Pong has now announced its remaining restaurants have permanently ceased trading, with its founder saying it was 'difficult to survive' under current economic conditions.
An automated message on the company's website reads: 'After 20 amazing years, Ping Pong is closing its doors.
'Thank you for all the memories, the laughs, and the love.
'It's been a truly delicious journey'.
The restaurant's founder Kurt Zdesar, who left the group in 2007 and went on to launch the Chotto Matte chain, told Time Out: 'The UK has become increasingly difficult to survive this current economical environment. Very sad news.'
Companies House records show holding company Ping Pong Ltd had administrators appointed in November 2022, just two months after the group had reported a £344,000 pre-tax profit for the 12 months to 27 March of that year.
Ping Pong was sold to AJT Dimsum as part of the 'pre-pack' administration process, with its six restaurants and staff to transferred to the new owner.
At the time, Ping Pong said it the pandemic had left it with crippling debts owed to landlords it would not be able to pay despite returning to a profit.
The administration has seen two 12-month extensions to be completed and administrators at Begbies Traynor said in June a further extension 'may be required'.
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