BBC star chef forced to apologise after closing Michelin-starred restaurant – leaving furious customers out of pocket
A BBC star chef has been forced to apologise after closing his Michelin-starred restaurant – leaving furious customers out of pocket.
Diners with gift vouchers for Glynn Purnell’s self-named restaurant have been told they won’t get a refund after it shut last month.
Purnell has previously trained with Gordon Ramsay and is known to many Brits for his appearances on Saturday Kitchen.
But he closed the top Birmingham restaurant on October 12 after 17 years.
Some loyal customers have been left out of pocket after splashing out hundreds of pounds on gift vouchers.
Coventry mum Therese Roberts bought £250 vouchers for her two children and their spouses as Christmas presents last year.
Her daughter had booked dinner for October 23 – before finding out the restaurant had closed from a news article.
Purnell’s superfan Therese emailed the restaurant eight times asking if she could use the vouchers at Glynn’s other venues.
After ten days of chasing, Therese was referred to the liquidator and told she could not swap the vouchers to a different joint.
She claimed she was told to contact her bank in the hope of recouping the money she spent.
Therese said: “I am disappointed in Glynn Purnell. I thought he was a better man than this.
“I have had a great experience at Purnell’s in the past, so much so that I bought vouchers for two friends with special birthdays.
“I invested in a local business and a man with a good reputation yet there has been no goodwill and little communication forthcoming.
“Businesses fail but the way you handle your customers in the process shows how much personal integrity and respect you have for them.”
Fuming Therese has vowed never to buy a Purnell’s gift voucher again.
Ben Price had been looking forward to dining at Purnell’s with a £250 birthday voucher after visiting two of Glynn’s other restaurants.
But the Brummie gourmet has ended up in the same boat as Therese.
He said it was “galling” to be left out of pocket while Purnell’s other restaurants remain open for business.
MAKING A MEAL
Purnell has now apologised to customers – but has not backtracked on the decision about vouchers.
“I have been very grateful for the support in the unfortunate and unforeseen closure of the restaurant after 17 years.
“The closure is now in the hands of the liquidators which are Woods and Butchers.
“All queries regarding voucher refunds must legally be addressed to them.
“We have been advised that refunds can also be requested via customers own banks and credit card companies.”
The BBC star chef added: “I can only apologise for this difficult situation.”
After Carter’s of Moseley closed last year, Birmingham now has three Michelin-starred restaurants: Opheem, which has two stars, and Adam’s and Simpsons, which have one.
It comes after a spate of Michelin chefs have been forced to close restaurants due to the high rental costs, and staffing issues amongst the long list of other causes.
Last month celeb chef Michael Caines shocked fans after announcing the sale of Mickeys Beach Bar and Restaurant in Exmouth.
In September, a well-known TV chef, Simon Rimmer, closed his only remaining branch after 33 years in business.
Why celeb restaurants go bust
By Paul Lochhead, Managing Director of Drinkstuff
THE recent wave of celebrity chef restaurant closures can indeed be attributed to several factors, with the pandemic being a significant one.
The hospitality industry, particularly high-end restaurants, faced unprecedented challenges during the pandemic. Restrictions on dining, a shift to takeaways, and the need for social distancing significantly reduced footfall and revenue for these establishments.
However, the impact goes beyond the pandemic. High-end restaurants operate on a model that requires substantial overheads—premium locations, top-quality ingredients, and skilled staff.
With the economic uncertainty and a change in consumer behaviour post-pandemic, there’s been a shift in dining preferences. Many diners are now seeking more casual, value-driven experiences, which puts pressure on the viability of luxury dining.
Moreover, for celebrity chefs, these ventures are often passion projects rather than primary revenue sources.
If a restaurant isn’t performing well, it may not be worth the continued investment, especially when compared to the other income streams they have, such as media appearances, books, and endorsements.