Pip Lacey and Gordy McIntyre to close flagship Hicce

Pip Lacey and Gordy McIntyre have announced they will close their flagship Hicce restaurant in London’s King’s Cross in December following the activation of a break clause in their landlord’s lease.

The pair opened the “wood-fired dining experience” in 2018, followed by sister pub, Hicce Hart, in November last year.

Posting the news on Instagram today (27 September), they announced: “Unfortunately, whilst presenting our planned investment to the estate landlord just over 18 months ago, we were rather unceremoniously made aware that a break clause had been activated in our landlord's lease, ultimately affecting ours.

“We were offered what turned out to be false hope that we had the possibility to remain, and potentially secure a new long-term lease. While we have tried to negotiate and secure our future either in our current home or a potential new location within Coal Drops Yard, this final hurdle has proven to be the biggest and ultimately, insurmountable.”

They stressed the business had survived the pandemic, train strikes, staffing challenges and soaring inflation to remain profitable, but said “unfortunately for us, this seems to have not been enough”.

The pair added: “This certainly is not the end of the Hicce journey. December 2023 will see our final service, although the exact date has not been confirmed just yet. We will keep you posted on how we intend to celebrate our almost six years in our original home.”

Lacey, the former head chef at Angela Hartnett’s Murano, opened the restaurant with her long-time business partner and best friend McIntyre, who was previously opening and operations manager at Greene King.