The sudden closure of The Botanist in Coventry has locals fearing for the future of the city center
Coventry: The closure of The Botanist has left many locals feeling pretty upset. They called it a “real shame” and described it as a lovely, upscale spot in the city. But some folks are worried, saying things are only going to get worse and that the city center might soon feel empty.
The Botanist shut its doors on January 6, after being part of the Coventry scene for six years. The place is now up for lease at a hefty £150,000 a year, and it seems the staff were caught off guard by the news.
The owners, New World Trading Company, went through a CVA, which is a way for businesses to manage their debts. This plan was approved by most of their creditors, but it meant closing down some locations, including The Botanist in Broadgate.
According to NWTC, they tried to inform the staff about the closures as soon as they could. They held meetings in person and online to discuss the situation. They’re also looking to help staff find new positions at nearby venues.
While this closure doesn’t impact their other spots in Birmingham, it does mean shutting down restaurants in Chester and Sheffield. On the bright side, they’ve opened new Botanist locations in places like Sunderland and Edinburgh, with plans for Bournemouth in 2025.
People have been sharing their thoughts on social media about the sudden closure. One person, Gillian, expressed her sadness, calling it a beautiful restaurant that was underused. Another, Robbie, shared how he had just enjoyed a great meal there with his wife and felt it was unfair to treat the staff this way.
Anne raised a valid point, questioning how the staff could be left in the dark about the closure. Others chimed in, saying it was expected, with one reader mentioning that many small businesses in Coventry might struggle due to high costs imposed by the city council.
Markos1975 warned, “It’s going to get a lot worse, trust me.” And CovKidDare pointed out the hefty costs involved in running a restaurant, which can really add up.
What do you think about The Botanist closing? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments!
