Bethnal Green’s Fine-Dining Restaurant The Typing Room Will Close

Chef Lee Westcott has announced that he will close his fine-dining restaurant — The Typing Room — in Bethnal Green’s Town Hall Hotel. In an announcement, reported by The Staff Canteen, the chef, who opened the site four years ago, said: “Although a little sad, I’m also looking forward to exploring other culinary options and getting stuck in exciting projects in the future.”

The statement was issued by the Town Hall Hotel, which has been the home to Westcott’s ambitious modern British restaurant since 2014. Initially the project was backed by serial, international chef-restaurateur and Gordon Ramsay alumnus, Jason Atherton. Westcott’s restaurant replaced Portuguese chef Nuno Mendes who had occupied the space from 2010 with his el Bulli-ish restaurant Viajante.

The Typing Room will close towards the end of June, the announcement said.

Westcott added: “I’d like to take this opportunity to thank everyone that has helped us achieve amazing things over the years. This includes all our wonderful guests, suppliers and friends — I cannot thank you enough for your loyalty and support.”

Although the restaurant did not receive a Michelin star (which it might reasonably have expected to) it was awarded four AA Rosettes (out of a maximum of five), as well as four stars from the Evening Standard’s Fay Maschler.

Westcott rose to wider prominence nationwide after he appeared on the BBC’s Great British Menu. He has not yet revealed what he plans to do next.

However, the Town Hall Hotel has confirmed that he and the restaurant will not be replaced. The Staff Canteen says the owners will “repurpose the space and will not look to open any further restaurants.” The hotel is also home to the Corner Room — a smaller, less formal modern French restaurant which is run by chef Craig Johnson.

The hotel’s owner, Loh Lik Peng, who also recently backed chef Leo Carreira’s Londrino, added: “I couldn’t thank Lee enough for his contribution to the Town Hall Hotel and Unlisted Collection [hotel group] over the last four years.

“Although the accolades speak for themselves, Lee really has proven himself to be a great talent in the kitchen — and I can’t wait to see what future brings for him.”

• Lee Westcott’s Typing Room will close next month [The Staff Canteen]