Kenny Tutt closes Pitch in Worthing ‘with a heavy heart'

Kenny Tutt, the 2018 MasterChef champion, has announced the immediate closure of his Worthing restaurant Pitch, saying he was unable to make the venue viable.

Tutt opened the restaurant in May 2019 having left his job as a bank manager in Brighton and moved back to his hometown of to pursue his dream.

Announcing the restaurant's closure on social media, Tutt said: "It is with a very heavy heart that today we say goodbye to our restaurant Pitch. A place that has grown into a real part of the community in this great town.

"We want to thank every single one of our customers who have passed through our doors. The countless anniversaries, birthdays and special occasions we have had the pleasure to be some small part of and our brilliant team who have made it a time to remember for many.

"We have tried everything we can to remain viable however we do not believe in passing on the ever-rising costs to our patrons and becoming something that we didn't set out to be. It's farewell to this chapter and we are sure there will be more to come."

In April, Tutt closed his Bayside Social restaurant on Worthing seafront. He continues to operate Patty Guy, a burger bar at Brighton's Shelter Hall.

Hospitality operators have been warning of "mass closures" following April's cut in energy bill support and rising costs on multiple fronts.

Restaurant closures in the recent months have included Artichoke bistro in Chester, Puro and 28 Market Place in Somerset, and SpiceBox's last remaining site in London's Walthamstow.

Casual dining chain Prezzo is also set to close 46 sites across the country.