Landlord's ‘lifeline' saves Rick Stein's Marlborough restaurant from permanent closure

The landlord of Rick Stein's restaurant in Marlborough, who is said to have been "devastated" that the Steins were forced to surrender the lease and permanently close the restaurant, has agreed to a rent reduction to save the business.

As part of the negotiations, which were first reported by The Times and will allow the Wiltshire restaurant to reopen permanently and re-employ its 39 staff, the landlord and agent have waived some rental arrears and reduced the rent by nearly 25%.

Rick Stein, whose family said they were "relieved" by the news, said: "I'm delighted that our landlord in Marlborough made such a generous offer. I had resigned myself to losing the restaurant and our wonderful team and I am so pleased that we can reopen."

The landlord, who declined to be named, said: "It's the right thing to do for Marlborough, the customers and staff and we hope we have helped save a great restaurant.

"I was proud to take them as a tenant a few years ago. I felt that the restaurant would be a great addition to the high street in Marlborough and they did an amazing refurbishment of the building, the new interiors were stunning."

The Stein restaurant group has leased Lloran House, the Grade II-listed building in which the restaurant is housed, since 2016 when the restaurant opened.

The family business was established by Rick and Jill Stein more than 45 years ago and operates 12 sites across Cornwall, Dorset, Hampshire and London.

The official reopening date for Rick Stein Marlborough is expected to be announced shortly.