Jeremy King: 'If people are willing to go to restaurants then we should be open for them'

Esteemed restaurateur Jeremy King said "if people are willing to go to restaurants then we should be open for them" as he announced five Corbin & King sites will open on 4 July.

On the first day restrictions are lifted to allow restaurants to serve guests once again, the Wolseley, Colbert, Brasserie Zédel and Fischer's will open their doors in London, along with Café Wolseley at Bicester Village in Oxfordshire.

King said: "Many in the business think we are over optimistic to open so many and a large number of restaurateurs are actually going to ‘wait and see' – with some feeling it's really not worth opening until September.

"I understand that approach completely but also feel strongly that our restaurants are very much part of the fabric and community of both central London and the neighbourhoods – but I also feel that if people are willing to go to restaurants then we should be open for them to be able to. I remain positive and have been emboldened by our survey results that revealed that 83% of customers said they will likely return as soon as they are able.

"Certainly all the restaurateurs I have spoken to in France, Germany, Switzerland, Austria and the States have reported incredibly strong demand with minimal Covid concerns. We will have to see…"

Reservations are open at the five restaurants, which have been selected from the group's portfolio due to their locations with sites more reliant on tourists and businesses to follow when it is felt demand can support them.

The group has also confirmed that its new restaurant Manzi's in Soho is expected to open in October, with approximately three months needed to complete the project.

Reservations are open for the five Corbin & King restaurants that will open next month.

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