French-style restaurant chain Bistrot Pierre has announced the immediate closure of eight UK venues, including two in the northwest.
The affected locations are Birmingham, Coventry, Kidderminster, Leamington Spa, Mere Green, Newport, Preston and Southport, and result in 158 job losses.
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The remaining ten Bistrot Pierre restaurants will continue operations, safeguarding 394 jobs, under the ownership of Cherry Equity Partners, a UK-based private equity investment company.
Founded in Nottingham in 1994 by John Whitehead and Robert Beacham, the French chain has faced economic challenges, with inflation cited as a significant factor in the recent closures.
In Southport, a notice informed patrons of the closure, stating: “Will Wright and Ryan Grant of Interpath Advisory were appointed joint administrators of Bistrot Pierre 1994 Limited on 7 March 2025. The restaurant is now closed.”
Bistrot Pierre was backed by mid-market London-headquartered private equity firm Livingbridge, and sold out of administration in 2020.
For the 12 months ended 30 June 2023, the chain’s turnover dropped to £24m ($25.9m) from £28m in the previous year. Pre-tax loss was £2.5m compared with £670,000 one year earlier.
Cherry Equity Partners CEO Ed Standring stated: “This investment marks our second acquisition in as many months, and underscores our deep commitment to the UK hospitality sector – an industry we’re incredibly passionate about and one we believe is full of opportunity. Bistrot Pierre is a well-loved bistrot, bar and boutique rooms business with a great heritage, and we’re looking forward to working with Nick and the team to invest and grow the business.”
