Customers await answers on voucher refunds for recently closed Michelin-starred Purnell's restaurant

Glynn Purnell, the chef behind Purnell’s, announced that his establishment closed its doors for the final time on Saturday, October 12.

The news marks the end of an era for the Michelin-starred Birmingham-based restaurant, which for 17 years had garnered widespread acclaim for its seasonally influenced dishes and contemporary approach to British cuisine.

Mr Purnell said he would now devote his time to his two other establishments, Plates by Purnell’s on Edmund Street in Birmingham and The Mount by Glynn Purnell in Henley-in-Arden.

But customers with vouchers to spend at the now-closed restaurant on Cornwall Street have so far been left without a refund. They have also been told the vouchers cannot be transferred to either of the other two restaurants.

A spokesman for Plates by Purnell’s said: “Unfortunately, as we are separate companies the vouchers won’t be transferable, I apologise but at the moment we have no further information. However, someone from Purnells team should contact you and the customers as soon as they have answers for a refund.

“Thank you for your patience.”

Among those customers is Ben Price who received a gift voucher for his birthday in June.

He said: “I received a voucher as a gift for my birthday in June, and with the restaurant closing am now unable to use it .I’ve called and emailed the restaurant and contacted via social media and had no response.

“I also included Glynn’s other restaurants. One came back to distance themselves from it saying that they were a separate entity.

“I’m hoping that you may be able to raise awareness around this issue as I have seen a number of others affected via social media, and find it pretty poor form that they would take what is a significant amount of money for people and offer no recompense or a transfer of the voucher across to one of Glynn’s other ventures that he is continuing with.”

Meanwhile, William O’Neill was also affected. He said: “Our story is that my wife's birthday is 1st September and our 2 sons that live in America bought her a £225 gift voucher from Purnell’s restaurant. The restaurant closed abruptly on 12th October and immediately disconnected their phone line and left emails unanswered.

“Glynn Purnell’s other restaurants, Plates by Purnell and the Mount by Glynn Purnell in Henley refuse to accept the vouchers.

“Eventually our email to Purnell’s was answered and it referred us to their liquidator. The reply from that said there was not going to be any voucher refund.”

Charlotte Gent also had a voucher to spend at Purnell’s. She said: “I just wanted to share how disappointed I am about the sudden closure of Purnell’s.

“I bought a £70 voucher only three weeks ago, and now it seems like there’s no way to use it.

“It’s frustrating not just losing the money, but also that they didn’t even notify customers directly - I only found out through social media.

“What makes it feel even worse is that the voucher price was recently raised. It seems like they might have known about their financial situation beforehand and still continued to sell vouchers at a higher price. It all feels unfair, and I’m genuinely upset about losing both the voucher and the experience we were looking forward to this coming weekend with our friends who also bought a voucher for £50.”

When contacting sister venue, The Mount, the customers were told: “We do understand that it must be a disappointment to not be able to use your voucher at The Mount and as a gesture of goodwill, we would offer a free bottle of house wine or prosecco should you choose to dine with us.”

Purnell’s, which first opened on 7 July 2007, quickly became a gastronomic hotspot and the most iconic restaurant in Birmingham, earning a Michelin star in 2008.