Stevie Parle's JOY not 'given the opportunity' to carry on as it confirms closure

By James McAllister

- Last updated on GMT

Stevie Parle's JOY at Portobello Dock not 'given the opportunity' to carry on as it confirms closure

Related tags Restaurant Al fresco Stevie Parle

JOY at Portobello, the outdoor restaurant and retail space created by Stevie Parle, will close at the end of the month after being 'kicked out' of its Portobello Dock site

Parle, who opened JOY last summer in the London location once home to his beloved Dock Kitchen, had hoped to secure a long-term tenancy for the space, but in an Instagram post​ he confirmed that he hadn't been 'given the opportunity' to do so.

BigHospitality ​revealed back in March that the future of JOY was uncertain, with Parle struggling to secure a reasonable rent rate ​due to interest from other parties wishing to takeover the space driving up the price of the lease.

Parle said: "At the end of this month we’ll close our pop up JOY at Portobello.

"Sadly, despite our best endeavours and contrary to our expectations we were not given an opportunity to sign a long lease and we have lost the site to a West London-based street food/pub/club operator. I don’t know what they’re planning for it but I do wish them luck."

Dock Kitchen, which closed its doors back in late 2017, was Parle's first solo restaurant venture, and the chef spoke last year​ of his delight at being able to return to the site with JOY, which he opened in partnership with long-time friend and designer Tom Dixon.

Back in March, Parle told BigHospitality​ that should he be unable to retain the site on a permanent basis, he would like to try and relocate the restaurant.

However, he added that in his heart he would like to keep it where it is.

"Portobello Dock is special to me," continued Parle in his statement.

"I opened my first restaurant here with Tom Dixon when I was 24 and it’s been empty since we left four years ago. It was brilliant to be back.

"We brought great food, beautiful flowers, happiness, good times, and, importantly, well paid jobs to Portobello Dock at a moment when those were all in short supply.

"We have created a vibrant and successful business that has become a sort-of home to many wonderful collaborators and friends without whom none of it would have been as good.

"It’s been a ride, the team have been brilliant and we’ve probably never worked harder. We built this place ourselves.

"We have been supported by an incredible bunch of guests, shoppers, friends and neighbours and feel hugely privileged to have been the place where so many people reconnected with friends and family they hadn’t seen for months.

"We’ll miss it all. Hopefully we’ll find an equally brilliant permanent home for joy one day."

Parle also owns fast-casual pasta restaurant Pastaio, which has sites in Soho and Westfield White City.

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