Owners confirm prestigious Bristol restaurant forced to close due to tough trading conditions
The owners of one of Bristol’s most prestigious restaurants have confirmed its closure due to tough trading conditions.
The Klosterhaus restaurant, based in Quakers Friars, has closed just over two years after first opening its doors for business.
The Klosterhaus restaurant was located in the Grade-I listed Quakers Friars building in the Cabot Circus centre.
A statement from its owners has confirmed the restaurant is closing for good.
The statement from the D&D group, which owns restaurants across the UK and in New York and Paris, was released on Thursday.
It said: “Klosterhaus is a landmark building which opened shortly after the first COVID 19 lockdown in September 2020.
“Unfortunately, trading has been challenging and with the current economic challenges including spiralling utility, food and beverage costs and the unstable labour market we have sadly, after much consideration, decided to cease trading in this restaurant.
“D&D restaurants, however, continue to trade well have had a very positive December despite the ongoing industrial disputes effecting transport.
“We are particularly proud of our latest opening Orelle, in Birmingham; an 88-cover restaurant located on the 24th floor of 103 Colmore Row. The new site which opened only two months ago is trading very well, exceeding our revenue projections.”
According to reports D&D has put a number of sites up for sale after carrying out a review of its portfolio.
Quakers Friars is a key part of the shopping centre and the building, which is close to the Harvey Nichols store, was previously occupied by the Brasserie Blanc.
A message has been posted on the restaurant’s website which reads: “Please note that Klosterhaus has now closed, however we would be delighted to welcome you at one of our sister restaurants.
“Thank you for your support and we look forward to seeing you soon.”
The restaurant is part of the D&D London chain which owns more the 40 venues across the UK and in Paris and New York. The business was co-founded by chief executive David Loewi.
Loewi and Des Gunewardena created D&D London from a management buyout of Sir Terence Conran’s restaurant company in 2006.
The opening was headed up by Gunewardena, a qualified accountant turned restaurateur who has since parted company with the group.
Gunewardena worked closely with Cabot Circus landlords Hammerson on the project.
The plush restaurant interior was designed by award-winning designers, Design LSM and featured artwork by a collection of artists from Studio 2C Art consultancy.
