BBC’s Great British Menu star closes down beloved seaside restaurant after 17 years but insists ‘I have no regrets’
GREAT British Menu star Mark Hix closed the doors at his restaurant for the last time after 17 years in business.
The chef and food critic, who opened the eatery after his BBC show victory, said the decision was made with a “heavy heart”.
Mark Hix’s Oyster & Fish House opened in Lyme Regis in 2008 and delighted locals with offerings of Dorset oysters and whole fish caught by local fishermen.
The restauranteur said he decided to shut up shop after realising that “times have changed” for the hospitality industry.
“We’ve been here for 17 years and it’s been great,” Mark told Bridport and Lyme Regis News.
“I’ve loved working with everyone in Lyme Regis. We had a good send-off in the last couple of days at the business.
“We had a little party for the fishermen we have worked with,” he added.
Mark spoke about the difficulties the restaurant faced over recent years – including Covid pandemic and a high-profile planning dispute with the local council.
He broke the news on Instagram in November where he told his 25,000 followers: “It’s safe to say there have been some ups and downs over the years, particularly with the pandemic, as well as increasing challenges and pressures on the industry.
“I always think if you’re going to stop doing something, you should always go out on a high.
Turning his attention to customers, colleagues, and the people of Lyme Regis, he added: “For now, I wanted to personally say a huge thank you to everyone that has supported the business over the years.
“We have made some fantastic and loyal friendships, we’ve run countless successful events with incredible chefs including Food Rocks, we’ve raised huge amounts for charity and worked with some very talented and dedicated staff members.
“Being a Dorset boy, this will always be my home, and I will continue to work in both Dorset and London.
“I have no plans to open any more restaurants in the future and I will certainly miss my Lyme Regis restaurant, but I will cherish the memories that I have made over the last 16 years.”
In 2023 local councillors voted to remove £20,000 worth of wooden decking at the restaurant in 2023.
Mark had wanted to make the temporary structure permanent and was left furious over the decking row, saying local officials were “defying the will of the people.”
Why are celebrity restaurants closing?
By Paul Lochhead, Managing Director of Drinkstuff
THE recent wave of celebrity chef restaurant closures can indeed be attributed to several factors, with the pandemic being a significant one.
The hospitality industry, particularly high-end restaurants, faced unprecedented challenges during the pandemic. Restrictions on dining, a shift to takeaways, and the need for social distancing significantly reduced footfall and revenue for these establishments.
However, the impact goes beyond the pandemic. High-end restaurants operate on a model that requires substantial overheads—premium locations, top-quality ingredients, and skilled staff.
With the economic uncertainty and a change in consumer behaviour post-pandemic, there’s been a shift in dining preferences. Many diners are now seeking more casual, value-driven experiences, which puts pressure on the viability of luxury dining.
Moreover, for celebrity chefs, these ventures are often passion projects rather than primary revenue sources.
If a restaurant isn’t performing well, it may not be worth the continued investment, especially when compared to the other income streams they have, such as media appearances, books, and endorsements.
A petition to save the decking received over 10,000 signatures but he was forced to rip the structure out last year.
The fuming chef warned losing the outside seating would put a financial strain on his business and could cost jobs.
At the time he described it as “a sad day” and “devastating”, adding: “Thank you Lyme Regis Town Councillors for your total lack of support.
“Our deck will be gone by Friday as requested. We fought the battle to the very end, but sadly lost.”