Tommy Banks to close the Black Swan on Sundays to support staff wellbeing

Chef Tommy Banks has announced he will close Michelin-starred the Black Swan in Oldstead, North Yorkshire on Sunday’s to give his teams an opportunity to recharge with family and friends at the weekend.

Banks will move the restaurant’s opening days from Wednesday to Sunday, to Tuesday to Saturday, with bookings for Tuesdays now being taken for 2023. To coincide with the move Banks is offering guests making a Tuesday booking in Q1 of 2023 a complimentary wine package.

The chef said: said: “We’re constantly striving to do things differently at our restaurants in Yorkshire. Our industry can be a challenging place to work and employees’ work/life balance can so easily be compromised.

“Closing the Black Swan on Sundays enables our team to take time and recharge at the weekend with family, friends and loved ones – something I know is crucial for both personal and professional development.”

The group, which also includes the Michelin-starred Roots restaurant in York, placed number 10 in this year’s Best Places To Work in Hospitality list, compiled by The Caterer.

Earlier this year it also launched an exchange programme for staff in collaboration with fellow Michelin-starred chef Paul Ainsworth allowing staff to gain experience across the two groups.