Landlord of former Park Row restaurant site reclaims lease due to ‘overdue’ rents

The landlord of the now closed Park Row in London’s Soho has taken back the lease of the property after it was revealed the DC Comics-inspired restaurant had failed to pay rent.

The immersive diner from Wonderland Restaurants closed suddenly in April after two and a half years of trading.

It subsequently announced plans to move to a new London location. 

When The Caterer visited the site of the former restaurant in Brewer Street, a notice of forfeiture by peaceable re-entry dated 18 April read: “The landlord has sought to exercise its right to re-enter the premises and the lease shall absolutely determine, which right is granted to the landlord in clause 43(a) of the lease.” 

It said Wonderland Restaurants Limited had failed to pay “the reserved rents”.

Locks to the property were changed by the Crown Estate Commissioners on 18 April.

Park Row was given until 2 May to collect any goods within its ownership that remained on the property.

A spokesperson for the Crown Estate, which owns assets across the UK, including the whole of Regent Street and roughly half of St James’s, said: “We can confirm that we have taken back the lease from Wonderland Restaurants on Brewer Street.

“We are currently in discussions with potential new customers for the unit and hope to make an announcement soon.”

Park Row was founded by James Bulmer, who was formerly chief executive of the Fat Duck Group and EMEA head of retail and licensing sales at Disney.

The Caterer understands Wonderland Restaurants is close to being able to announce its new location.

Wonderland Restaurants has been approached for comment.