The owners of one of Brighton and Hove’s leading restaurants said that it will close because rising costs “have made it impossible for us to continue”.
Ben McKellar, 52, and his wife and business partner Pam, 48, emailed customers and posted a video on social media with “a heartfelt farewell after 28 wonderful years”.
Mrs McKellar said: “Sadly, we are going to have to close. We can’t afford all the increases that have happened.
“The last two budgets have absolutely killed us and then the rates go up in Apriland that’s the final nail in the coffin for a tiny restaurant that cooks everything from scratch with great produce from local suppliers.”
Mr McKellar said: “There’s only a certain amount of money you can take in a 30-seater restaurant, with all the costs going up and the tax burden going up, and it’s just not sustainable for small independent restaurants.
“We know other people are struggling. It’s a tough time. You are not alone.”
The fine-dining restaurant, which features in the Michelin Guide, was opened in 1998 by Mr McKellar, who trained at the Brighton Metropolitan College – or Brighton Met – when it was called Brighton College of Technology.
Michelin said: “The flagship of the Gingerman Group is a long-standing neighbourhood restaurant a short way from the sea. It has a slight Scandic look and an intimate feel.
“Understated modern dishes provide plenty of appeal and have an unforced natural style and good clarity of flavour.”
Some credit The Gingerman with helping Brighton and Hove to earn its reputation as a destination for food lovers – and others believe that the staff who learnt their craft there have gone on to lift culinary standards around the area.
The McKellars have yet to announce the closing date. They said: “We won’t be closing immediately but we will be closing our doors for the final time over the coming months.”
The couple’s email to customers was headed: “A very sad goodbye to the Gingerman.”
It said: “After 28 incredible years, we find ourselves writing a message we never imagined we would have to share. With heavy hearts, we are announcing the closure of our restaurant.
“The Gingerman has grown into something so meaningful because of our loyal guests, supporters and friends. You filled our tables with laughter, celebrated life’s milestones with us and made our restaurant feel like home.
“We also want to take a moment to recognise the incredible teams we have had the privilege of working alongside over the years. Their passion, dedication, and talent helped shape our restaurant into one of the go-to dining destinations in Brighton.
“From the kitchen to the front of house, it was their care and craft that brought everything to life and, for nearly three decades, The Gingerman has been proud to play a part in shaping Brighton’s vibrant food scene.
“Any influence we’ve had has only been possible because of the unwavering support, loyalty and friendships we’ve built with all our wonderful customers.
“You championed us, returned time and again and helped us become something far greater than we ever imagined.
“Over the years, we have faced many challenges but the rising costs of running a restaurant in today’s climate have made it impossible for us to continue. This decision has not been made lightly and it comes with profound sadness.
“Despite this sad closure, we want to share that we remain incredibly invested in and excited about the future of The Flint House, The Ginger Pig, and The Ginger Fox.
“We look forward to continuing to welcome you there and creating many more memorable experiences together.
“We are endlessly grateful for your support, your kindness and the trust you placed in us. Every visit, every conversation and every shared moment has meant more to us than words can express.
“From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for being part of our journey. With deepest gratitude, Ben and Pamela.”
This Labour government is a disgrace for heaping charges onto small businesses and failing to legislate against utility companies turning into racketeers in a cost of living crisis to boast the highest profits they’ve ever had. This government has been a kick in the teeth to hard working individuals and families from start to finish. Where too are the local Chamber of Commerce who used to defend small businesses vigorously and are now deafeningly silent as small businesses close all around them, unsupported?
Their other restaurants are doing fine so how do you figure that out ?
you piece of filth
AHH myopic, narrow and uninformed rants , good to see
Shame on the Labour Council and Labour Government for destroying small businesses in the way that they are. This business was also important for the tourism industry as it was something special and was a Brighton legend. What next – more red routes to crush independent shops and restaurants and a new tourism tax to incentivise people to go on holiday overseas and push more people onto benefits. Roll on the local elections in 12 months.
Again, Red Routes have no evidence to suggest that it affects business in any meaningful way; quite the opposite. And those who chose to park on yellows were under the same unlawful behaviour; all that has changed is the speed at which you’re punished for doing so.
There are plenty of tourist taxes in all sorts of countries.
I’m staying in Amsterdam next week where the city tourist tax is 12.5%. And that’s on top of 21% VAT.
In Berlin it’s 7.5%. Spain has them. The US has them.
People have been paying these taxes for years to foreign governments for years and it hasn’t made going to those places any less popular.
Labour kill hard working small businesses and give out cash to those that don’t work
Hardly. Restaurants and cafes are always high-risk ventures these days because people have much less disposable income. Going out for a meal is a luxury that most can’t do as often as they used to.
Not as high risk without business. tax rises. Record number of small businesses closing. Stick to breakfast club and benefits
…that doesn’t actually make sense. What do you mean, “not as high risk without business”?
Everyone knows what he means. Labour have increased taxes on small businesses. If they hadn’t done this the huge amounts of small businesses that are closing might not have had to. Labour are a disgrace. Think local elections will show what the UK think of them! Let’s see!
No, Tom, his response doesn’t make sense. Business Tax rises have nothing to do with my point about people having much less disposable income, which is very strongly supported as the main driver for the service industry struggling.
Labour for the shirker not the worker
Unemployment up
Small business closures up
Benefits for not working up
Benjamin’s comment completely misses the point. Small independent restaurants are collapsing all over Brighton because costs are spiralling out of control while councils and government pile on even more pressure. The owners of The Gingerman themselves said rising costs, taxes and rates made the business unsustainable — not a lack of customers.
And yes, red routes absolutely make things worse for local businesses. You can pretend people don’t drive into Brighton to eat, shop and spend money, but they do. When customers are slapped with aggressive parking enforcement, nowhere to stop briefly, endless restrictions and anti-car policies, many simply choose to go elsewhere. That hurts restaurants, pubs and shops whether some people want to admit it or not.
It’s easy for armchair commentators to dismiss concerns when it’s not their livelihood on the line. The reality is Brighton is slowly pricing out and regulating out the very independent businesses that made the city attractive in the first place. Once places like The Gingerman are gone, they’re gone for good.
Wrong as usual, Rupert. Access to parking is evidenced to have little to no impact on businesses, and reduced consumer spending is one of the major drivers, alongside rising expenses due to Brexit. Irrelevant tu quoque remains irrelevant and just demonstrates the weakness in your argument. Generating emotive scapegoating doesn’t help; it just further shows that AI isn’t going to provide an answer or a solution.