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Eater has learnt that Byron — the burger chain, which for the past year has been one of the most high-profile victims of the so-called casual dining downturn in the UK — has now closed five of its 39 restaurants in London (within the M25.) A total of 16 have closed nationwide.
Those which are no longer listed on the brand’s website include: Hoxton Square in Shoreditch, Store Street in Bloomsbury, Westbourne Grove in Notting Hill, Steward Street in Spitalfields, and Southside shopping centre in Wandsworth. It leaves the company with 34 remaining sites in the capital and follows a report in January, which predicted 20 site closures across the country
Eater understands that of the remaining 15 sites which were expected to close across the UK, 11 have so far — including two in Manchester, plus sites in Glasgow, Bristol and Cardiff. Four which were expected to close but, according to Byron’s website, remain open are in Aberdeen, Birmingham, Leicester and Derby.
Representatives of Byron did not respond to Eater’s request for comment on when the sites ceased trading and no official statement has been issued by the brand. Last week, Byron released seven new hamburgers “for every burger lover” designed to change its fortunes by attracting new customers. Among new vegan and vegetarian options, is included the so-called “flexitarian,” which is made by adding mushrooms to a beef patty.
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Byron has faced a difficult twelve months. In 2017, four under-performing branches were closed. In October last year, it was reported that the company met to discuss a strategic review of the business. Two months later, it was thought the company could be sold for a heavily discounted price. Then, at the beginning of this year, it was revealed that the company’s survival was dependent on the closure of up to 20 of the chain’s previously nearly 70-strong portfolio.
There is at this point no suggestion that the company will close any more sites imminently.