Eat the Bird restaurant closes after viral acclaim

Eat the Bird has shut down unexpectedly after entering liquidation.

Exeter restaurant closes after viral review

Eat the Bird, a popular restaurant in Exeter, has closed its doors just a week after receiving a glowing review from a food critic. The closure comes after the company went into liquidation following a court order requiring them to pay their meat supplier, Fairfax Meadow Europe Ltd. The award-winning restaurant, which also had branches in Taunton and Cardiff, had seen its popularity rise since its opening in 2017 but struggled with rising costs and the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic. Founder Dan Aldridge stated that some employees have not yet received their wages due to the closure. The restaurant had plans to expand into the Princesshay shopping centre, but those plans were derailed after the Frasers Group acquired the property. The abrupt end has raised concerns in the local business community.

The sudden closure of Eat the Bird highlights the fragility of the restaurant industry, especially in the wake of the pandemic. While a viral review can propel a business into the spotlight, it is clear that financial stability and effective management are critical for long-term success. The challenges posed by rising costs and competition for prime locations further complicated the restaurant's position. Aldridge's remarks about the need for community support in filling vacant shops underscore a larger issue in local economies where many eateries face similar challenges. As businesses navigate this uncertain landscape, the fallout from a single viral moment serves as a reminder that popularity is not always sustainable.

Highlights

The closure serves as a stark reminder of the challenges facing local eateries today.