in brief

Canteen closure

Claudio Pulze and Michael Caine have abandoned the struggle to attract diners to London's Chelsea Harbour and closed the Canteen, their eight-year-old, Michelin-starred restaurant. They hope to transfer it to a site near the West End within six months. Eighty per cent of Canteen staff have accepted jobs at other restaurants in Pulze's Cuisine's Collection.

Smiths delay

The opening of former Conran senior chef John Torode's £2.4m bar-restaurant in London's Smithfield area has been delayed until May. Problems with building contracts and the landlord have been blamed for stalling the opening of Smiths, which was due to start trading last December (Caterer, 26 August 1999, page 5). Torode is opening the restaurant with Angus and Stuart Hopson Jones, who own the Polygon Bar and Grill in Clapham.

Forte third

Forte is to open a 300-bedroom Travelodge at London's Heathrow airport on 1 February. The new hotel, with 100-seat Bar Café restaurant, joins Forte's Posthouse and Le Méridien hotels at the airport.

Awards dates

This year's London Restaurant Awards will be presented on 3 April and televised by Carlton Television on 6 April.