Toby Carvery is permanently closing one of its busy UK restaurants today as the popular roast dinner chain continues reviewing its estate across the country.
The well-known restaurant brand, which operates more than 150 locations across the UK, is shutting its outlet at The Brewery Shopping Centre in Romford after service on May 10.
The company confirmed the site will be handed back to the landlord, while efforts are being made to relocate as many employees as possible to nearby branches.
The closure follows the recent departure of Frankie & Benny’s from the same shopping complex after its lease expired.
A spokesperson for Toby Carvery said: “We can confirm the Toby Carvery at Romford will close on May 10 after service and the site will be returned to the landlord.”
“This decision has been taken after careful consideration and as part of the continual review of our estate and we are in consultation with the team and hope to redeploy as many employees as possible at our other nearby businesses.”
The spokesperson added: “We’d like to thank our loyal guests and the brilliant team at Romford for their support.”
The company also noted that Toby Carvery “look[s] forward to bringing our famous salad bar and fresh rotisserie back once we’ve identified the right site”, while encouraging customers to visit nearby restaurants in Chadwell Heath and Brentwood.
The closure comes amid continued pressure on the UK casual dining sector, with several restaurant chains reducing their number of sites in recent years.
Earlier this year, Frankie & Benny’s suddenly closed its branch at Whiteley Shopping Centre in Fareham, Hampshire, after operating there for 13 years.
The restaurant chain has experienced significant decline in recent years, shutting around 120 restaurants between 2020 and 2021, followed by another 35 locations marked for closure in 2023.
In the Black Country, the brand’s final remaining restaurant closed last September when its long-running Dudley branch served customers for the final time after more than 20 years.
At the time, a spokesperson said the company was “saddened” by the closure and praised the “fantastic” staff who had helped shape the restaurant over the years.