DINERS were devastated to see a beloved Italian restaurant shut down after 12 years.
In another hit to the hospitality industry, a staple high street venue served its last customer.
Forza Win closed down unexpectedly and did not reveal an explanation[/caption]
The restaurant was founded by best friends Bash Redford and Michael Lavery[/caption]
Diners had been welcomed at the venue for an impressive 12 years before the closure[/caption]
Forza Win, located in London’s Camberwell, made the sad announcement on social media.
“It’s been 12 years! Five as a supper club, seven as a restaurant, two of which we’ve spent on Camberwell Church Street,” bosses revealed last month.
They added: “We’ve had the immense privilege of working on over a decade of Forza Win in its many iterations and couldn’t be prouder of what who has been part of it has achieved.
“All of that said, we couldn’t be more excited for what’s to come.
“We’ve spent the best part of a decade trying to explain that Forza Win and Forza Wine are two different things (that ‘e’ doing a lot of heavy lifting) – now it’s only Forza Wine you need to remember, and we’ll be slinging cauliflower fritti and custardos in more postcodes very soon.
“And where Camberwell is concerned, we’ve found someone lovely to take over the space and serve the community – more on that soon.”
The popular restaurant was created by childhood pals Bash Redford and Michael Lavery all the way back in 2012.
It originally started as an informal pop-up eatery but gained enough traction to open as an official restaurant in 2017.
Their delicious menu was hailed for it’s traditional five-course options and homemade Clemencello.
Bash and Michael served their last tables on February 21, but their Forza Wine brand is still going strong.
There are two London sites in Peckham and at the National Theatre.
This comes as many other restaurants have faced the same fate – with even industry giants struggling.
Customers recently cried “so sad” as a private chef to royals and billionaires closed down a famed UK venue after just six months.
Fans were stunned by the announcement that the Unagi chain would be shuttering one of their popular sites.
Meanwhile, the creator of a Michelin-backed restaurant has confirmed a devastating closure after 14 years.
Loyal diners were disappointed to hear one of their favourite family-run venues was shutting down forever.
What is happening to the hospitality industry?
By Laura McGuire, consumer reporter
MANY Food and drink chains have been struggling in recently as the cost of living has led to fewer people spending on eating out.
Businesses had been struggling to bounce back after the pandemic, only to be hit with soaring energy bills and inflation.
Multiple chains have been affected, resulting in big-name brands like Wetherspoons and Frankie & Benny’s closing branches.
Some chains have not survived, Byron Burger fell into administration last year, with owners saying it would result in the loss of over 200 jobs.
Pizza giant, Papa Johns is shutting down 43 of its stores soon.
Tasty, the owner of Wildwood, said it will shut sites as part of major restructuring plans.
And, just last month The Sun reported a BBC star and Gordon Ramsay protege was compelled to close another venue after “vowing to do it right” this time.
TV chef Mark Sargeant, 51, waved goodbye to The Restaurant MS in Folkestone, Kent, after a string of setbacks.
Elsewhere, yet another BBC star suddenly closed his restaurant after nine months – despite a £400,000 revamp just last year.
Caldesi opened in Belsize, north London last April, serving upmarket Italian food.
But, just months later, bosses confirmed the restaurant’s upcoming closure on Instagram.
The restaurant was hailed for its traditional Italian five-course menu[/caption]
Staff announced their closure with this message[/caption]
