Foxlow to close final two sites
The announcement signifies the end for the long-suffering chain, which has consistently struggled to perform at a similar level to the more premium Hawksmoor brand.
“When we opened our first Foxlow we wanted to create a great neighbourhood restaurant, doing the things that we believe in: sourcing food from the best British farmers and fishermen, treating staff well and allowing them in turn to show our customers the kind of hospitality that we enjoy giving and receiving ourselves,” says Will Beckett, who co-owns both Hawksmoor and Foxlow with Hugh Gott.
“However, in the end we couldn’t see a future where Foxlow grew as a business.
“With Foxlow closed we will be able to focus exclusively on Hawksmoor, which continues to be extremely successful and we are very proud that it continues to thrive and grow.”
Foxlow was launched by Beckett and Gott in 2015, and quickly grew to four sites operating in Clerkenwell, Balham, Chiswick and Stoke Newington.
However, the brand consistently struggled to find its feet.
In 2017, Underdog, owner of both Hawksmoor and Foxlow, reported a £9m pre-tax loss for the financial year ending 31 December 2016, due to Foxlow having a “pretty tough time”.
The Stoke Newington restaurant was closed that same year and the Chiswick site followed in 2018, with Beckett and Gott admitting they struggled to get things right in either location.
In April this year, Foxlow Soho closed after just two years of trading.
Beckett and Gott will continue to oversee operations at Hawksmoor, which has opened eight restaurants since it launched in 2006 and is set to establish its first overseas steakhouse in New York later this year.
