Mark Sargeant to close Brasserie MS in Folkestone

Mark Sargeant has announced the closure of his Brasserie MS restaurant in Folkestone after less than a year of trading.

In a post on Instagram the chef said he had "no choice" but to shut the business in the face of difficult trading conditions.

It comes a month after Michelin announced the restaurant would be included in its 2023 Great Britain and Ireland Guide, though it was not confirmed if it would receive a star, Bib Gourmand or Green Star sustainability award.

Sargeant wrote: "It is with great sadness that I am announcing the closing of the Brasserie MS. I want to thank all of my wonderful customers, employees and suppliers for supporting me since I opened as I could not have done it without all of you.

"I am extremely humbled by everyone who enjoyed my local Brasserie experience and it is with much regret that I am not able to continue any longer and become a neighbourhood favourite in Folkestone.

"This is not an easy decision that has been taken lightly but today's tough trading conditions and the uncertain future have simply left me no choice but to turn the lights off and close the doors of the Brasserie MS.

"I opened to rave reviews in August, but sadly my backers don't share my same vision of restaurant excellence!"

The chef added that all staff and suppliers would be paid and any bookings who had pre-paid would be compensated and contacted "as a matter of urgency".

Sargeant spent 13 years working with Gordon Ramsay and won the National Chef of the Year award in 2002.

He previously ran Kent-based hospitality business Rocksalt Group but stepped away from the group in 2021.