Marco Pierre White's New York Italian brand closes its Leeds restaurant
According to the Merrion Centre’s landlord, property investment firm Town Centre Securities, the closure comes as a result of contractual renegotiations. The decision was made to close it on 22 August, and it will be replaced with another restaurant.
Nick Taplin, CEO of Black & White Hospitality –which owns the franchise rights to the New York Italian brand – attributes the closure to instability in the market, saying the closure of the Italian-American restaurant was the last resort for the business.
“The core New York Italian restaurant business and brand remain strong but the market is tough, noticeably so in Leeds,” says Taplin.
“The competition has increased and economic uncertainties have posed challenges leading to a number of high profile restaurant closures across the city. As the Leeds market has changed we’ve had to adapt our business strategy accordingly, which has moved us in a different direction to the owners.”
The 88-cover restaurant was part of the Ibis Styles hotel complex in the development.
It launched as part of a franchise agreement between AccorHotels and Pierre White’s Black and White Hospitality business. It aimed to celebrate the chef’s Italian heritage and love of classic American dishes.
