Soho’s Vinoteca Restaurant closes due to rent increases and licencing restrictions

Vinoteca Restaurant in Soho has announced it is to close due to rent increases and licencing restrictions in the area.

The restaurant’s other branches in Farringdon, Marylebone, Bloomberg Arcade and Chiswick will remain open.

Charlie Young, co-founder and director at Vinoteca, said: “Although it’s true that the rent has increased in line with the market, we decided to close Vinoteca Soho because of restrictions to the licence. We were no longer able to serve drinks to customers without them having a full meal, and this doesn’t fit with our brand and what customers are used to at the other Vinoteca branches.

“It was a tough decision as Vinoteca Soho has been a cracking site for us, but we are now looking for another location with no licensing restrictions.”

When Catering Today contacted Vinoteca for comment it was given the message: “Vinoteca Soho is now closed and will relocate to a new site in the near future. Our sincerest thanks and gratitude to our passionate staff and loyal customers. Your closest Vinoteca is Marylebone near Marble Arch station, two stops away on the Central Line from Oxford Circus.”

The site’s lease is set to be taken on by Turkish restaurant operator, Yeni Lokanta, which currently has one restaurant in Istanbul. It is understood that Yeni Lokanta will open on the site in early November.