Two Glasgow restaurants close in days amid financial crisis

We previously reported that both Brian Maule at Chardon d’Or in Glasgow city centre served its last customers on July 21.

Monadh Kitchen in Bearsden also shut its doors earlier in the week and both restaurants cited financial pressures after covid as one of the reasons for the decision. 

Monadh Kitchen had been trading for six years, and Brian Maule at Chardon d'Or had been established for 22 years in the "once thriving business district".

Chef-proprietor Brian was trained by Michel Roux Jr. and was head chef at the two-star Michelin restaurant Le Gavroche.

Brian left Ayrshire as a teenager to pursue his own career and worked in Lyon, France, and invested a decade in training Glaswegian schoolkids.

Glasgow city centre fared worse economically than anywhere in the UK during the pandemic and the impact was described as a major factor in closing Chardon d’Or.

Brian Maule (Image: Newsquest)

The owners of neighbourhood eatery Monadh Kitchen cited "the financial burden of the world we live in" and said they had to prioritise their family life and wellbeing.

Its website said: "It is with a heavy heart that we announce the closure of Monadh Kitchen.

"The financial burden of the world we live in has forced us to close with immediate effect.

"Managing through Covid to then head into a cost-of-living crisis has been the most difficult challenge for all small independent businesses, so please continue to support local.

"We have given it everything we possibly could, however, it is no longer enough.

"Our health, and the well-being of our family, can no longer be sustained under these pressures.

"We are devastated to be leaving such a wonderful area and customers we now consider friends after the past six years. Your support will never be forgotten as we could never have done this without you.

"We are grateful for everything and will cherish the memories we've made."

A post on social media from Brian Maule at Chardon d’Or said: "We have tried so hard to fight against the financial burden of the ‘new normal’ world we live in, but it has forced our hand - for now - with immediate effect.

“Surviving through covid, then spiralling into a cost-of-living crisis, increased home working, plunging property values, lack of support for the hospitality sector.

"All these damaging factors, plus many more have weighed heavily on us, we have tried so hard to see it through - for our fantastic team, whom we feel so sorry, but also for the city that we have been part of for the last 22 years, our business simply can no longer be sustained under all these pressures.

“We leave behind something that has been very special, and are so thankful to all our customers, many whom we now consider friends.

"Your support will never be forgotten - we could never have done it without you, we are grateful for everything and once the devastation has subsided, we will take great comfort from the friendships created along the way and cherish the memories.”

A statement from the board said: “The considerable pressures on the hospitality industry just now and projected are well understood.

"Chardon d’Or has its full share of these with soaring food and energy costs, no more rates relief, a customer base in a cost-of-living crisis and big medium term turnover uncertainty.

"Location though, is critical.

“At the outset, in 2001, and for the next 20 years, Chardon lay in a busy, thriving business district. Covid has changed all that.

"Many of the surrounding businesses are now closed or up for sale or let and those still open are mainly occupied on a part-time basis.

"This has had the two-fold impact of a substantial reduction in restaurant business and a depression in property values.

“Desperately, sadly, with all this coming together, the inescapable conclusion for Brian Maule and the team is that the Chardon business in West Regent Street will have to close. It’s a sad loss for the city…

“As you would guess, Brian is completely devastated by this. He feels so much gratitude towards his supporters and his dedicated staff and he feels he has let them down.

"Assurances that he has done nothing of the kind and that what has occurred has been almost completely out of his control, will take time to sink in.

“In time, the hope is that Brian, Susan and their loyal team will be able to reflect on these 22 great years for Chardon d’Or; an amazing span in which Brian won eight fine dining awards and delivered a 10-year programme of hands-on training to children from Glasgow schools.

“Brian has built a reputation for the delivery of first-class food and service in the restaurant and the provision of the highest quality in private dining and recurring events.

"He has a loyal and significant following. Just how and where the value of this might now be captured, time will tell.

"It is all too raw for these considerations yet. His is a talent though that should not be lost.”