Paramount restaurant at Centre Point closes

Paramount, the restaurant and bar at the top of London's Centre Point building, has closed.

Owners Pierre and Kathleen Condou surrendered the lease on the site, which they had operated for six years.

In a tweet on 3 January, the business said: "Sad News: Paramount has closed its doors to allow the re-development of Centre Point. We would like to thank all of our customers."

Four years ago the Condous, who used to own Bistrot Bruno and L'Odéon, decided to open up the former private members' club on the top floors of the 33-storey tower building on New Oxford Street, following "overwhelming demand from the public".

The business narrowly avoided recession in 2010 after creditors agreed to a company voluntary arrangement (CVA) that wiped out 70% its £1.4m debt by paying them 30p for every pound they were owed, although at the time the Condous said the decision to make the site public had nothing to do with the financial restructure.

Paramount first launched in November 2008 comprising an events space on the 31st, a restaurant on the 32nd and a bar on the 33rd floor offering 360 degree views over central London.

News of its closure at the start of this year was greeted with sadness by many former customers.

Journalist Mike Fletcher (@mikeyfletch) took to Twitter to say: "Gutted to hear @ParamountSoho has closed. Fave place & memorable times incl @stephenfry stuck in the lift & a first date with now fiancée."