Head chef and founder of Birmingham city centre restaurant steps down

Chef Alex Claridge has announced his immediate departure from Nocturnal Animals, the Birmingham city centre bar and restaurant which opened last November.

Claridge has decided to leave Nocturnal Animals in Bennetts Hill with immediate effect in order to focus on The Wilderness in the Jewellery Quarter.

Claridge said: “Nocturnal Animals was an ambitious new project in the city centre and there is much that I am proud of – the bar in particular has done spectacularly well to achieve UK Top 50 recognition in such little time.

“I want to make clear, I have nothing but gratitude to everyone involved in the project – staff and guests alike – to date and this decision is not one I have taken lightly. This has been a challenging project for a huge variety of reasons, but most importantly, I have spent the last nine months split between the two restaurants and this isn’t something I wish to continue.

“The business owners of Nocturnal Animals are obviously disappointed but respect my decision, for which I am grateful and, whatever they choose to do now I have left, I will do what I can to support any transition.

“I have always promised my family, work family and business partners that The Wilderness and my happiness will be my priority no matter what, and the time is right for me to stay true to that. I intend to dedicate my time and attention to the restaurant that I love so dearly and pursue only the constant goal of making The Wilderness the best restaurant it can be for both guests and our team alike.”