One Tower Bridge Restaurant Sold, Continues to Trade [Updated]

Restaurant Tom Simmons at One Tower Bridge has been sold in a pre-pack deal and will continue to trade following its administration. The administration was first reported by MCA. A “pre-pack” refers to a pre-arranged sale of some, or all of a business’ assets, which is then facilitated by an administrator: in this case Durkan Cahill.

The restaurant is currently open and accepting bookings — service continues to run as normal. Simmons opened the restaurant in summer 2017, six years after starring in Masterchef: The Professionals and reaching the quarter finals at the age of 21.

The restaurant serves rooted in classical French techniques but with an emphasis on Welsh heritage: the kind of same-but-with-personality template that Masterchef takes to so readily. The difficulties faced by Simmons’ restaurant are indicative of the variables at play at the One Tower Bridge development: while The Coal Shed, Bridge Theatre and Gunpowder (open 15 August 2018) enjoy prime locations, this site is tucked around a corner in the cobbles, difficult to stumble across and certainly not primed for walk-ins. Nonetheless, the sale has kept the restaurant afloat, with all staff retained.

Harry Lewis of Berkeley Homes — owners of One Tower Bridge — said:

Following a business restructure, Tom Simmons will continue to trade at One Tower Bridge. We are confident that the quality of his food will guarantee continued success along with the other restaurants in the development. We are committed to supporting our new and established brands at One Tower Bridge, as it develops into an exciting new destination. Recent successes include the August opening of Rosa’s Thai Café, Gunpowder and Custard which opens tomorrow night, as well as Vapiano, opening in October.

When pressed for clarification on the phrase “business restructure”, a spokesperson did not provide further comment: this sale, to a refinanced company, appears to be that restructure.

More soon.

Updated 16.08.18, 09:05, with news that the restaurant had been sold in a pre-pack.