Wiltons closes for winter refit

Wiltons, one of London's most traditional restaurants, has been closed for refurbishment and will not reopen until the third week of February.

The bulk of the work in the Jermyn Street building consists of updating the kitchen, which is on the lower ground floor, and installing a lift linking it with ground level. The lift will make it easier for disabled people to use the lavatories in the historic restaurant.

Wiltons director Margaret Levin said that regulars will notice little change in the restaurant itself after the refurbishment.

She said: "I'm pleased to say that we are not planning on changing anything that the customers will notice. The closure is really about improving the kitchen for our chef, installing the lift so that we come into line with the new disability legislation, and making better use of the space in our wine cellar."

Most staff at Wiltons are using the enforced break to work in other restaurants - several in France - or to take a sabbatical.