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Beloved restaurant chain shuts ALL its locations in UK and ceases trading after two ‘unforgettable' decades
Beloved restaurant chain shuts ALL its locations in UK and ceases trading after two ‘unforgettable' decades

Scottish Sun

time03-07-2025

  • Business
  • Scottish Sun

Beloved restaurant chain shuts ALL its locations in UK and ceases trading after two ‘unforgettable' decades

The company announced their sad closure in a message on Instagram KITCHEN CLOSED Beloved restaurant chain shuts ALL its locations in UK and ceases trading after two 'unforgettable' decades A POPULAR restaurant chain has shuttered ALL of its UK locations as it ceases trading after 20 years. Hungry customers were disappointed to learn one of their favourite dinner spots would be disappearing from the high street forever. 3 Beloved restaurant chain Ping Pong has closed all its UK locations Credit: Alamy 3 The company has struggled to stay afloat since the Covid pandemic Credit: Alamy Ping Pong was hailed for its range of more than 40 dim sum options and affordable prices. It was founded all the way back in 2005, by restaurateur Kurt Zdesar, and 13 venues quickly popped up within four years. Ping Pong's success continued to soar, and at it's height boasted 12 restaurants in London. The company announced their sad closure in a message on Instagram. "It's a wrap. After 20 unforgettable years, all Ping Pong locations are now permanently closed," they said. "We're incredibly proud of what we built, an independent hospitality brand full of creativity, flavour and soul. 'To everyone who joined us over the years, for dim sum dates, happy hours, bottomless brunches, and just-because catch-ups – thank you… It's been sum-thing truly special.' The move comes after the restaurant came under fire last year for changing its service charge to a 15 per cent discretionary 'brand charge'. Ping Pong also took a significant hit during the Covid pandemic, with trading losses of £1.4million in the year to March 2020. Within two years, their locations had halved in number, and the firm went to administrators in a desperate bid to save the brand. Famous fast-food chain dubbed 'Britain's rudest restaurant' to close final UK branch and teases future plans Begbies Traynor reported in 2022 the pandemic had caused 'significant disruption' to the business. This comes after an Italian restaurant chain faced the same fate and closed down all of its sites after nearly six years. Officina 00 was a popular pasta joint with three locations across Covent Garden, Fitzrovia and Old Street. It charged around £15 for posh pasta dishes such as curly pappardelle and killer bucatini. Owner Elia Sebregondi took to Instagram last week to share news that the business was no more. He said: "It is with a heavy heart that I share the news that Officina 00 restaurants have now permanently closed. "I have done everything in my power to overcome the many challenges faced in the last few months, but despite all efforts I have been forced to close down." The news left diners heartbroken with many describing it as a "big loss". Chains have been struggling recently as the cost of living has led to fewer people spending on eating out. Businesses have also been struggling to bounce back after the pandemic. As a result, a number of chains have been forced to close down or reduce their estate. Chick 'n' Sours has also closed its remaining restaurants in Haggerston and Seven Dials in London. And, the branch of a famous fast food chain is set to shut its doors after being "forced into liquidation" with £400k debt. The unique restaurant went viral back in 2022 with its performative staff being purposely rude to guests. Karen's diner on White Lion Street in London's Islington will close at the end of June after trading for two years. It's the restaurant's last remaining venue in the UK and is regularly described as one of the most memorable and bizarre dining experiences in the capital. With their deliberately rude waiters, Karen's has racked up millions of views on TikTok with clips of them insulting customers. Their website describes it as an "absurdly fun experience" where you are "greeted and waited upon by rude waiters and forced to play a variety of stupid games". How to save money eating out THERE are a number of ways that you can save money when eating out. Here's how: Discount codes - Check sites like Sun Vouchers or VoucherCodes for any discount codes you can use to get money off your order. Tastecard - This is a members club where you pay to have access to discounts worth up to 50 per cent off at thousands of restaurants. It costs £4.99 a month or £34.99 for the year. Loyalty schemes - Some restaurants will reward you with discounts or a free meal if you register with their loyalty scheme, such as Nando's where you can collect a stamp with every visit. Some chains like Pizza Express will send you discounts for special occasions, such as your birthday, if you sign up to their newsletter. Voucher schemes - Look out for voucher schemes offered by third party firms, such as Meerkat Meals. If you compare and buy a product through then you'll be rewarded with access to the discount scheme. You'll get 2 for 1 meals at certain restaurants through Sunday to Thursday. Student discounts - If you're in full-time education or a member of the National Students Union then you may be able to get a discount of up to 15 per cent off the bill. It's always worth asking before you place your order.

Italian restaurant chain closes ALL of its sites immediately after facing ‘many challenges'
Italian restaurant chain closes ALL of its sites immediately after facing ‘many challenges'

Scottish Sun

time30-06-2025

  • Business
  • Scottish Sun

Italian restaurant chain closes ALL of its sites immediately after facing ‘many challenges'

Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) AN Italian restaurant chain has closed down all of its sites after nearly six years on the high street. Officina 00 was a popular pasta joint with three locations across Covent Garden, Fitzrovia and Old Street. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 1 Officina OO had three sites across the UK. It charged around £15 for posh pasta dishes such as curly pappardelle and killer bucatini. Owner Elia Sebregondi took to Instagram last week to share news that the business was no more. He said: "It is with a heavy heart that I share the news that Officina 00 restaurants have now permanently closed. "I have done everything in my power to overcome the many challenges faced in the last few months, but despite all efforts I have been forced to close down." The news left diners heartbroken with many describing it as a "big loss". While another upset local said: "I can't believe this. I was just speaking to someone about how great your pasta was earlier this week." A third said: "This is devastating news. We loved visiting your restaurants." And a fourth person said: "The best pasta in London.. how sad for all." The chain first opened its first site in Old Street in 2019 and went on to open more two more branches. Its latest location in Covent Garden only just opened back in March. Beloved high street chain with 24 Irish locations confirms Dublin city centre store closing down in 10 days in huge blow It is not the only independent chain to fall on hard times. Chick 'n' Sours has closed its remaining restaurants in Haggerston and Seven Dials in London. But the chain is continuing its residencies at the Roof East and Corner Corner food halls. Chick 'n' Sours will also still be available on Deliveroo, with the brand also appearing at UK festivals and live music events. TROUBLE IN THE RESTAURANT INDUSTRY Chains have been struggling in recently as the cost of living has led to fewer people spending on eating out. Businesses have also been struggling to bounce back after the pandemic. As a result, a number of chains have been forced to close down or reduce their estate. The Cosy Club at Ipswich's Buttermarket Shopping Centre has announced it made the "very difficult decision" to close doors on May 31. The Browns Bar and Brasserie on Duke Street also closed its Brighton branch in May due to an issue with the venues lease expiring which could not be resolved. Turtle Bay also shut its Blackburn site, which first opened in 2017, earlier this year.

Italian restaurant chain closes ALL of its sites immediately after facing ‘many challenges'
Italian restaurant chain closes ALL of its sites immediately after facing ‘many challenges'

The Sun

time30-06-2025

  • Business
  • The Sun

Italian restaurant chain closes ALL of its sites immediately after facing ‘many challenges'

AN Italian restaurant chain has closed down all of its sites after nearly six years on the high street. Officina 00 was a popular pasta joint with three locations across Covent Garden, Fitzrovia and Old Street. 1 It charged around £15 for posh pasta dishes such as curly pappardelle and killer bucatini. Owner Elia Sebregondi took to Instagram last week to share news that the business was no more. He said: "It is with a heavy heart that I share the news that Officina 00 restaurants have now permanently closed. "I have done everything in my power to overcome the many challenges faced in the last few months, but despite all efforts I have been forced to close down." The news left diners heartbroken with many describing it as a "big loss". While another upset local said: "I can't believe this. I was just speaking to someone about how great your pasta was earlier this week." A third said: "This is devastating news. We loved visiting your restaurants." And a fourth person said: "The best pasta in London.. how sad for all." The chain first opened its first site in Old Street in 2019 and went on to open more two more branches. Its latest location in Covent Garden only just opened back in March. Beloved high street chain with 24 Irish locations confirms Dublin city centre store closing down in 10 days in huge blow It is not the only independent chain to fall on hard times. But the chain is continuing its residencies at the Roof East and Corner Corner food halls. Chick 'n' Sours will also still be available on Deliveroo, with the brand also appearing at UK festivals and live music events. TROUBLE IN THE RESTAURANT INDUSTRY Chains have been struggling in recently as the cost of living has led to fewer people spending on eating out. Businesses have also been struggling to bounce back after the pandemic. As a result, a number of chains have been forced to close down or reduce their estate. The Cosy Club at Ipswich's Buttermarket Shopping Centre has announced it made the "very difficult decision" to close doors on May 31. The Browns Bar and Brasserie on Duke Street also closed its Brighton branch in May due to an issue with the venues lease expiring which could not be resolved. Turtle Bay also shut its Blackburn site, which first opened in 2017, earlier this year. How to save money eating out THERE are a number of ways that you can save money when eating out. Here's how: Discount codes - Check sites like Sun Vouchers or VoucherCodes for any discount codes you can use to get money off your order. Tastecard - This is a members club where you pay to have access to discounts worth up to 50 per cent off at thousands of restaurants. It costs £4.99 a month or £34.99 for the year. Loyalty schemes - Some restaurants will reward you with discounts or a free meal if you register with their loyalty scheme, such as Nando's where you can collect a stamp with every visit. Some chains like Pizza Express will send you discounts for special occasions, such as your birthday, if you sign up to their newsletter. Voucher schemes - Look out for voucher schemes offered by third party firms, such as Meerkat Meals. If you compare and buy a product through then you'll be rewarded with access to the discount scheme. You'll get 2 for 1 meals at certain restaurants through Sunday to Thursday. Student discounts - If you're in full-time education or a member of the National Students Union then you may be able to get a discount of up to 15 per cent off the bill. It's always worth asking before you place your order.

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