A RESTAURANT beloved by celebrity food critics has closed its doors suddenly.
The gourmet eatery is set to be replaced by a fast food company, as high streets across the country are devastated by restaurant closures.
Fork opened in Lewes in 2021 and was co-owned by celebrity chef Richard Falk.
Richard, who was also the head-chef at Fork, two-Michelin-starred The Ledbury in Notting Hill and at The Dairy in Clapham.
Despite the restaurant’s immense popularity, the cost to run the eatery became too great.
The restaurant’s new owners have decided to put the shutters down for good on March 30, before reopening the site as a fast food restaurant.
According to staff, the site will be converted into a fast food restaurant.
Front of House Manager Philippe Alvarez said: “The new owners want to set up a fast-food restaurant.
“High quality food requires more staff, and fewer staff would be required for fast food.
“Ahead of the increase of wages in April, the new owners have decided to cut their losses.
“We have just managed to break even so with the wage increase it would not be possible to make a profit.”
Fork made waves when it first opened, attracting celebrity clientele including food critic Grace Dent.
However, Grace warned of the risk for high-end restaurants all the way back in 2022.
While she praised Fork for having a “heart that is bursting with ambition”, she noted that times were becoming “perilous” for restaurants.
She added: “My feeling is that Pizza Express and the big beasts will weather the coming storm, while chefs who devote hours to duck-fat rösti to perch beside organic sirloin, or make individual lobster wonton to complement day-boat fish for only a handful of customers, will find things much harder.”
High streets have been rocked by closures in recent years, with many high-end restaurants being forced to shut down.
As the cost-of-living-crisis continues, shoppers are pinching pennies and are opting to eat at home.
La Goccia, part of the Petersham Chain, closed in Covent Garden after Brexit left it unable to hire skilled staff.
Its sister restaurant, The Petersham, was also forced to close after rent prices rocketed after COVID.
The Michelin-recognised Tare Bistro shut down in Bristol in March 2025, just weeks after Native, another Michelin-starred restaurant, closed down.
What is happening to the hospitality industry?
By Laura McGuire, consumer reporter
MANY Food and drink chains have been struggling in recently as the cost of living has led to fewer people spending on eating out.
Businesses had been struggling to bounce back after the pandemic, only to be hit with soaring energy bills and inflation.
Multiple chains have been affected, resulting in big-name brands like Wetherspoons and Frankie & Benny’s closing branches.
Some chains have not survived, Byron Burger fell into administration last year, with owners saying it would result in the loss of over 200 jobs.
Pizza giant, Papa Johns is shutting down 43 of its stores soon.
Tasty, the owner of Wildwood, said it will shut sites as part of major restructuring plans.
