Nick and Julia Nairn close Bridge of Allan restaurant a year after relaunch

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Nairn, who ran the restaurant with his wife Julia, told The Herald​​​ that the business was ‘no longer viable’ and that he had already returned his keys to the leaseholder of the property.

The restaurant officially closed its doors on Wednesday (11 September).

In a statement, Nairn said: “It is with great sadness that we have made the difficult decision to close Nairn’s, Bridge of Allan with immediate effect.

“Many in the hospitality industry continue to struggle and recover post Covid.”

Nairn took over the Henderson Street site in 2019 and originally launched it as Nick’s on Henderson Street in 2020, trading through the Covid-19 lockdowns as a takeaway.

The site suffered a devastating fire a year in 2021, and the restaurant remained closed for two years before relaunching last summer as Nairn’s​​.

“For Nairn’s, the added trauma of a fire and a prolonged closure period, coupled with our return to business in the midst of the cost-of-living crisis has created the perfect storm,” the statement continued.

“Additionally, in 2019 and pre-Covid, we entered into a management agreement with a third party, when hospitality was still buoyant.

“Sadly, what was once reasonable is now unaffordable, all of these factors mean the business is no longer viable.

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“We are very proud of the beautiful restaurant and the fantastic team we have created and hugely grateful of course, for all our wonderful loyal customers and supportive suppliers.”

Nairn’s Port of Menteith restaurant Nick’s continues to operate, as does the Nick Nairn Cook School.

The chef also runs The Kailyard by Nick Nairn restaurant at the Doubletree Hilton in Dunblane.