Popular Kirkcaldy restaurant and bar to close permanently

The manager of the York Place restaurant and bar made the shock announcement on Facebook last night.

Colin Wallace revealed that The Dining Room, which has been run by chef Roddy Jobson and his business partner Martyn Stewart for the past six years, will close on October 1.

He said they had made the difficult decision to withdraw as leaseholders of the business due to trading becoming more challenging over the last few years with rising costs.

But he said in addition the coronavirus pandemic has hit the business hard and made it untenable for them to continue operating.

In the statement, Colin said: “It is with a very heavy heart that I am writing to let everyone know that on 1st October 2020, after six wonderful, happy years, we will be withdrawing as leaseholders of The Dining Room.

"This is hard to write so please bear with me.

"This decision has come about for several reasons.

"Trading has certainly become more challenging over the last few years with rising costs in a much more competitive market place but we were keen to find a way forward that meant we could renew the lease in October.

"However, along with so many of our peers, friends and colleagues in hospitality, the Covid crisis has hit us hard and it has become untenable for us to continue on with the business.

"We have not taken this decision lightly. We worked hard during lockdown to figure out a way of moving forward and if there was one, believe me, we would take it but it simply doesn’t make sense for us or for the business anymore.

"From the bottom of our hearts we want to thank you all for the last six years. You have given us so much, we couldn’t have achieved any of what we did without your loyalty, good humour, trust and commitment.

"We really hope you feel the same way about us.”

But he went on to say they all have plans for the future which they will be focusing on after October 1.

Colin continued: "As for the future, Martyn and Roddy will focus their energies on making The Foxton and O’Connells the absolute best they can be and I will be found at The Buffalo Farm helping them realise their retail expansion dreams.

"I hope you’ll come and see us all, we would love to keep in touch with as many of you as possible, we’ve made so many wonderful friends over the years.

"And what about The Dining Room? We’re still open, standards are forever high and we’d love to see you so come and see us for one last party before October!

“Or more than one, you’ll always be welcome."

He added that it is hoped someone else will be able to take over the business: “ I hope with all the hopes in the world that someone with heart and soul and passion takes what we’ve created and puts their own unique twist on our beloved Kirkcaldy institution.

“It is our dearest wish to see it continue on and go from strength to strength.”

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