Rhubarb’s Centrepoint restaurant Vivi closes after six months

Rhubarb’s 1960s-inspired restaurant Vivi has closed its doors six months after opening in London landmark Centrepoint.

The 290-cover flamboyantly decorated dining room had offered a nostalgic menu featuring chicken kiev and mash; lobster thermidor and duck à l’orange.

In a statement Rhubarb hospitality group said: “We are incredibly proud of the beautiful restaurant we created at Centre Point and have had great feedback from our guests. Due to factors beyond our control such as the on-going building works, incomplete public plaza, lack of footfall and the Crossrail delay, the business has not been able to get to the desired position in our agreed timescales.

“To continue operating is not sustainable and we have had to take, after much consideration, the difficult, but commercial decision to close. Where possible we have relocated the VIVI team to our sister restaurants and the company will be supporting colleagues through the transition.”

Vivi opened in February and closed on Tuesday. It had been the flagship eatery in Centrepoint where it was joined earlier this summer by Arcade Food Theatre, featuring six ground-floor kitchens, a coffee and bakery counter, three bars, and an outdoor terrace.

Vivi had been run by Rhubarb, which is also behind Fenchurch Restaurant and the Sky Pod Bar among other sites. This week Rhubarb will open Mamma Mia! The Party at the O2, with 22 Bishopsgate in London and the rooftop restaurant, bar and event space atop Hudson Yards, New York, following next year.