Stephen Terry closes the Hardwick after 18 years of trading

Chef Stephen Terry’s Hardwick restaurant with rooms in Abergavenny, Monmouthshire, has closed suddenly after 18 years of trading.

An Instagram post from yesterday (1 October) stated: “The final ‘Family’ last breakfast supper. Thank you to all our staff and customers from the last 18yrs. It’s been emotional. Onwards & upwards.”

Some comments expressed concerns over refunds for unused vouchers and pre-booked stays, to which the Hardwick commented: “Sorry. We will be calling all our future bookings and reservations ASAP.”

The restaurant had served dishes such as chargrilled squid, chorizo and Jersey Royal potatoes; ‘Inside out’ chicken Kiev on braised fennel and rainbow chard; and chocolate mousse.

The closure comes after a couple who defrauded the restaurant out of £150,000 evaded immediate prison sentences in a ruling that was made earlier this year, which the chef branded as “an absolute joke”.

When the fraud came to light, Terry had discovered £70,000 was owed to his suppliers along with £6,000 in business rates and £10,000 in PAYE. The total money stolen from the restaurant was £150,234.63.

Terry, who was named Restaurateur of the Year – Independent at the 2012 Cateys, has been chef patron of the Hardwick since 2005. Earlier in his career, he had worked with chefs including Marco Pierre White and Michel Roux Jr.