Pensons to close citing ‘relentless inflationary pressure’
Owner and managing director Peta Darnley said the decision had been made following careful consideration of the restaurant’s ‘future commercial viability’.
“It is with an extremely heavy heart we make this announcement. The Pensons team’s dedication and talent is outstanding and this decision is no reflection on their ability but a very sad result of the economic climate we face,” she said in a statement released by the restaurant.
Within the Netherwood Estate, the 36-cover restaurant launched in 2019 with chef Lee Westcott at the helm. He was replaced by former Nathan Outlaw and Gidleigh Park chef Chris Simpson shortly after the launch.
The business won many other accolades including a Michelin Green star and picked up the The Sustainability Award at Restaurant magazine’s own National Restaurant Awards earlier this year.
“Despite all these accolades we find ourselves under relentless inflationary pressure which has made continuing the business untenable,” Darnley continues.
“It is with our heads held high that we move into these last weeks of service and I wish to personally thank all our team for their hard work and applaud their incredible talent, especially Chris Simpson our head chef.”
“I’ve hugely enjoyed my four years at Pensons where I’ve continued to build my Michelin star reputation. Despite now moving on to a new chapter of my career I will have incredibly fond memories of my time in Herefordshire, working with such a great team,” Simpson added.
