Mark Hix confirms appointment of administrators but says 'this was not my decision'

Mark Hix has confirmed that administrators have been appointed to his restaurants and Hix Townhouse after "undoubtably the toughest couple of weeks ever".

The chef said that the decision had been taken by the boards by parent companies for WSH & Mark Hix Restaurants Limited and HIX Townhouse and did not have his support. He added that the move would see his team made redundant and unable to take advantage of the government's furlough scheme.

In an Instagram post he said: "This was a board decision, and I have to point out, done without my support. Although the press are using, and will use, my name as the responsible director this was not my decision.

"Apart from tough times and sad times for me, it is nothing compared to what so many of my team, and others that are reliant on our business, are going through. Over time we have genuinely become a large family and to lose all of my team like this has been incredibly difficult and upsetting.

"One day, I will reopen in some way and I want to say a big thank you to all of my team, my suppliers and our guests who've been so supportive over the years and a huge thanks to those that have been in touch with their good wishes."

The restaurants in the group are Tramshed, Hixter Bankside, Hix Oyster and Chop House, all in London, as well as Hix Oyster and Fish House, in Lyme Regis.

In December last year Hix closed flagship restaurant Hix Soho in Brewer Street after a decade in business due to increasing rent costs. His Mayfair restaurant in Brown's Hotel had closed in two years earlier after the 10-year contract ended.

Hix, who was named Chef of the Year at the 2010 Cateys and received an MBE for services to hospitality in 2016, had entered a joint venture with hospitality business Westbury Street Holdings (WSH) in 2016.