'To say it’s been hard is an understatement': James Allcock closes the Pig and Whistle

Chef James Allcock has closed his Pig and Whistle restaurant in Beverly, Yorkshire after six years of trading.

In a lengthy post on X on 28 December, he said the business had “never been so battered” by a nearly £40,000 Covid debt, an energy bill that had quadrupled and an ongoing staffing crisis.

Allcock thanked industry colleagues for support but said numerous pressures facing the industry meant the restaurant would be unable to continue.

He wrote: “I love the Pig and Whistle, I love our team, I love our guests, I love Beverly, but to say it’s been hard is an understatement and whilst if it was easy everyone would be doing it, I equally don’t think it’s sustainable to be this hard and when I thought I was pulling in a direction with another person I felt stronger to go on, now I’m back alone I don’t feel I can do that anymore.”

He added: “It is therefore with great sadness that I have taken the difficult decision to close the Pig and Whistle in its current form and again whilst I don’t want to be disingenuous or cryptic about what that could mean, I want to remain very clear that long-term we simply will not re-open.”

The chef said the restaurant would operate as a Pig Pantry deli for guests to use their gift vouchers while all deposits would be refunded.

Allcock said: “After a December of a record day, record week and record month it’s better to burn out bright than fade away and that’s why I’ve come to the gut-wrenching hardest decision of my life to unfortunately close.”

Allcock, who previously cooked at Burnt Truffle and the Pipe and Glass, opened the Pig and Whistle in 2017.

He has been outspoken about the issues facing hospitality and many members of the industry paid tribute to the chef on social media following his announcement.

Luke Payne, chef owner at the Pack Horse Hayfield, said: “No words mate. We all know the plight of the industry and the challenges which lay ahead. Wishing you all the best.”

Sacha Lord, night-time economy advisor for Greater Manchester, tweeted: “I’m bitterly sad to read this @jrmallcock. You’re a titan of the industry and a voice we all look up to.”