Government βnot reacting" to hospitality crisis
Renowned chef Michel Roux says that there will be βmore closuresβ of restaurants and pubs
The chef and restaurateur Michel Roux has told HARDtalkβs Stephen Sackur that multiple crises have meant that the hospitality industry needs help βnow.β
βWe came out of lockdown and there was a huge surge. But then there was the staffing crisis; obviously energy prices that went skyrocketing β and there was no help for our businesses on energy pricesβ¦. And rent and rates still skyrocketing β and inflationβ
βI think there will be more closures. And itβs a very, very difficult time. I really, really think that the government could help the hospitality industry.β
Mr Roux is the chef owner of Le Gavroche, the two Michelin-starred London restaurant established by his father Albert and Uncle Michel in the 1960s.
Mr Roux was forced to close the restaurant during the covid lockdown for the first time in its history βI think of those days when I had to come in here and check the premisesβ¦To come in here, lights out, the smell of the stale restaurant, the dust everywhere β it made me weep.β
βI was within moments of saying βIβm closing.β
Le Gavroche did re-open but Mr Roux has decided to close its doors for good in January 2024 so that he can achieve a βbetter work/life balance.β
