Café Wolseley to close 'against the wishes' of its owners

The Wolseley Hospitality Group (TWHG), formerly Corbin & King, has claimed it is being forced to close its Café Wolseley restaurant at Bicester Village.

TWHG said the venue would close before 10 August at the "insistence" of Value Retail Group, which owns Bicester Village.

Café Wolseley opened in 2018 and was designed as a spin-off of the Wolseley restaurant in London, incorporating elements of the design and menu.

TWHG said it had operated with "great success" over the past four years and accused Value Retail of using a technicality in the lease to force the closure of the restaurant.

It suggested that Minor International's takeover of Corbin & King in April, which controversially wrested control from founder Jeremy King, was linked to the decision.

TWHG claimed it had "extensively" lobbied Value Retail to change the decision and "no satisfactory commercial reason was given".

"TWHG highly regrets this decision, which will be a loss to Bicester Village, the Oxfordshire community, the valued patrons of Café Wolseley and last but not least the team members who have shown such commitment and dedication to build the business into what it is today," the company said in a statement.

"TWHG will carry on and focus on the continued successful operation of its other restaurant venues. In addition, we continue with our plans to open further restaurants in London and in new locations."

The Caterer has contacted Value Retail for comment.

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