Restaurant in Birmingham city centre closes with immediate effect - staff made redundant

The Bistrot Pierre restaurant chains in Birmingham and Sutton Coldfield have both closed their doors.

The French restaurant chain has closed eight of its UK restaurants including in Sutton Coldfield and the city centre. Chains in Coventry and Kidderminster have also closed. The parent company has been bought out of pre-pack administration in a move that it said would save almost 400 jobs.

Bistrot Pierre was last sold out of pre-pack administration in 2020 and has struggled to return to profitability since the pandemic.

It posted a pre-tax loss of £2.5m in the year ended 30 June 2023 while turnover dropped to £24.4m, down from £28.4m the previous year, according to filings on Companies House.

Administrators Interpath Advisory said they would be providing support to those impacted "as a matter of priority".

Nick White, chief executive of Bistrot Pierre, said planned increases around National Insurance and the National Minimum Wage in April meant it was impossible for some of the chain’s smaller sites to keep trading.

In a statement on Facebook, Bistrot Pierre Kidderminster said: "It is with great sadness that we announce the permanent closure of Bistrot Pierre Kidderminster with immediate effect. The Bistrot Pierre brand is now under new ownership and will continue to operate in 10 locations.

"We would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your support over the years."

It comes following the announcement of Latin America restaurant Bodega Cantina in Birmingham city centre, which will close its doors on Sunday (March 15).

Read more: Birmingham restaurant to close after 14 years blaming Brexit and rising costs for making it 'unsustainable'