Film fame fails to save 192 from falling to local rivals

Restaurant 192 in London's Notting Hill, famed for its appearance in the film Bridget Jones' Diary, has closed down and the property is now being converted into an upmarket Italian restaurant.

The Italy-based Chateau Restaurant group, which now owns four London restaurants including Santa Lucia on Hollywood Road and Made in Italy on King's Road, both in Chelsea, bought 192's leasehold for an undisclosed sum through property agent Shelley Sandzer.

Partner Nick Weir, who negotiated the deal, said the group was now looking for other sites around London for further expansion.

The demise of 192 was blamed on increased competition in the area from restaurants such as the Electric Brasserie and E&O - and buying the property at the wrong time, according to Weir.

The rent on the 1,200sq ft ground floor and 1,000sq ft basement totals £130,000 a year.

Former owner Tom Byng still owns Zucca in nearby Westbourne Grove.

A source said that 192 had been a complete disaster for Byng ever since he bought the property from the Groucho Club in 2002.