Struggling restaurant Norse announces its immediate closure

Two-AA-rosette Nordic fine-dining restaurant Norse in Harrogate has announced its immediate closure just months after publicly asking for support from guests in a blog.

Owner Paul Rawlinson revealed that he had been "struggling in the knowledge that the numbers haven't been adding up" in his blog, published to the restaurant's website on 2 January.

He decided to develop an à la carte menu in a bid to attract those who decide to come in "on a whim" to go alongside the tasting menu option, and also introduced an early bird offer.

Speaking to The Caterer in January, Rawlinson said the changes were about "removing barriers" and that while his chefs would continue to create dishes for the tasting menu there would also be scope for them to create more approachable food for the wider market.

However, Rawlinson today said the changes were "unsuccessful" and the restaurant wasn't "able to attract the number of guests that a business like Norse requires on a consistent basis."

The restaurant owner said he didn't "blame the failure of the restaurant on conditions within the industry, Brexit or any other external factors" and felt he "didn't do a good enough job of telling Norse's story and convincing people to step through the doors" despite having a "talented team and lovely space."

He continued: "Life in town centres is tough right now and independent shops, restaurants and businesses need our continued support. It was a pleasure to feed and host so many happy people over the years, it's sad for all involved that this is how it ends."

Norse opened in 2014 in a shared space with Baltzersen's café on Oxford Street in the centre of Harrogate. In February 2017 Norse launched a crowdfunding campaign on Kickstarter to raise £20,000 to move it to a new site.

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