Team behind Holm in Somerset announces division of business

The trio behind south London restaurant Levan and Holm in Somerset have announced the “collective decision” to part ways after six years of working together.

Nicholas Balfe, Mark Gurney and Matt Bushnell established Elder Restaurants Limited in 2017.

Balfe had launched his first restaurant, Salon, as a pop-up in Brixton in 2012 before he was joined by Gurney and Bushnell to open Levan and Larry’s, also in south London. Both Salon and Larry’s have since closed.

In a group statement, the trio said: “We want to thank our loyal customers and all of the incredible team members who have supported our restaurants over the last six years.

"We have had an incredible journey together whilst being collectively responsible for Elder Restaurants Limited, and we are proud of what we have achieved in this time.

“We’ve had highs and lows and learnt a huge amount, particularly through the incredibly challenging trading climate of the last few years.

"Operating restaurant businesses with a 150-mile gap between the sites has proved challenging and this division allows each of us to pursue our passions while focusing on businesses closer to home. We’re all thoroughly positive about what the future holds.”

Gurney and Bushnell will remain focused on operating Levan in London, as well as an upcoming project in Peckham, while Balfe will continue to lead Holm, which is due to open overnight bedrooms next month.