D&D London closes Plateau in Canary Wharf
D&D London has shut down its Plateau restaurant in London's Canary Wharf in the latest in a string of closures for the group.
Chief executive David Loewi blamed a drop in footfall in the area following the pandemic as well as other "economic challenges".
He said staff and management would be offered other jobs across D&D's restaurants "wherever possible".
The French-style restaurant opened in 2003, but D&D took on the site in 2006.
David Loewi, chief executive of D&D, said: "Plateau has been a much-loved Canary Wharf restaurant for city dining, drinking and events since D&D acquired the site in 2006.
"But as we all know Covid-19 had a major impact on the corporate market and footfall in the city has fallen, alongside other economic challenges and the unstable labour market we have sadly, after much consideration, decided to cease trading in this restaurant."
It is the latest in a series of closures for D&D restaurants over the past year and comes after the exit of one of its long-standing investors was confirmed last month.
D&D has hired advisers to seek further funding for the business after private equity firm LDC, which bought a majority stake in the restaurant group in 2013 for a reported £50m, left the business after 10 years.
Co-founder Des Gunewardena departed the company in 2022 after 16 years "to pursue other ventures", with co-founder Loewi taking over as chief executive.
Chef Francesco Mazzei, who had worked with D&D for seven years, also left the business in April and said he would focus on travelling and his charity work.
D&D closed its restaurants East 59th in Leeds, Avenue and Radici in London, and Klosterhaus in Bristol in January, blaming "economic challenges".
Cantina del Ponte in London Bridge permanently shut last month, and the site has been taken on by chef Peter Lloyd's Sticky Mango concept.
Loewi added that D&D's restaurants continued to "trade well" and were "having a strong summer with many guests heading to our rooftops and terraces".
D&D operates around 40 restaurantsin the UK and overseas including Bluebird and Launceston Place in London, 20 Stories in Manchester and Orelle in Birmingham.
