Covino in Chester closes as founder blames ‘last two Labour budgets’

The founder of Covino in Chester has blamed the restaurant’s closure on “the last two Labour budgets”.

In a post on Instagram, Christopher Laidler announced the immediate closure of the Michelin recommended, French-inspired small plates restaurant he had “built from the ground up” in 2016.

Laidler said of Covino: “We’d have celebrated our 10th anniversary this December, but it simply wasn’t to be. For the avoidance of doubt, Covino’s ‘cause of death’ can be attributed to the last two Labour budgets. In trying to do the right thing they’ve gone after completely the wrong people, something I’ll never forget or forgive them for.

“On a more positive note, I’ve made some exceptional relationships over the last decade with guests, staff and suppliers who I now consider great friends. Thank you to everyone who has supported us throughout this journey. Your custom really did go towards things like my children’s football boots, something big business can’t tell you, so keep supporting your local independents!”

He added: “I’m going to spend some time licking my wounds, filing for bankruptcy, and most importantly, catching up on lost time with my family - who have come second to the restaurants far too often over the last 10 years. I’ll see you all again soon once I’ve figured out what’s next. Best of luck to everyone who’s battling their way through these testing times.”

Earlier this month, Laidler confirmed the closure of his follow-up, Climat in Manchester, after three and a half years of trading amid a “perfect storm” for hospitality.

The hospitality industry has faced a growing number of closures this year, with recent figures from NIQ’s Hospitality Market Monitor reporting a 0.3% decline in the overall number of licensed venues across the UK in the first three months of 2026, equating to 3.4 hospitality business shuttering its doors each day.

Keep up to date with notable industry closures on our Closures Tracker.