The Angel of Dartmouth to close after more than 40 years

The Angel of Dartmouth restaurant in Devon is to permanently close on 6 July after more than 40 years of trading.

Holland Group, which has owned the well-loved restaurant since 2016, said fine dining was "a resource-heavy and costly model" and “increasingly difficult trading conditions” had made it impossible for the Angel to continue.

The team plan to retain the Angel site and said they were exploring new concepts that “reflect the current dining landscape and support the future aspirations” of the business.

James Pike, group general manager at the Holland Group, said: “This has not been an easy decision, but it is the right one. The Angel has played such an important role in Dartmouth’s dining scene, and we’re grateful to have been part of its legacy. We look forward to honouring that history with a series of farewell events, and to exploring new ideas that are better aligned with the evolving market.”

The Angel was launched by Joyce Molyneux, one of the first women in the UK to earn a Michelin star, as the Carved Angel in 1974.

It was previously owned by Jacobs Media chairman Clive Jacobs while it held one Michelin star.

Jacobs said: "I am deeply saddened to hear this news, having once owned the restaurant during its time as a one-star Michelin establishment. It is undoubtedly a great loss for Dartmouth, given its place as a historic restaurant in the region. Unfortunately, this is indicative of the broader challenges currently faced by the UK hospitality industry."

Since 2018 the restaurant has won acclaim under chef Elly Wentworth, who received The Caterer’s Acorn award in 2019.

The announcement comes after Wentworth revealed she was leaving the Angel to take up a new role as executive chef at Fowlescombe Farm in Devon from 1 July.

The Holland Group said the team “wholeheartedly support” her next steps and described it as a “natural point of transition” for the restaurant.

The Angel will run a series of final events with Wentworth before her departure.

Wentworth said: “I feel incredibly proud of what we’ve built at the Angel - from the dishes we created to the relationships we forged with guests and suppliers. Being part of this historic restaurant’s journey has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my career. I leave with nothing but gratitude, and I’m excited for what lies ahead.”

The Holland Group said it would continue to focus on its wider portfolio, which includes Embankment Bistro in Dartmouth and Dartmouth Escapes, its luxury apartment business.

Image: Instagram / theangeldartmouth