Salon in Brixton closes as trading conditions prove 'more challenging than ever'

“With a very heavy heart” the team behind Brixton stalwart Salon have announced that the restaurant has closed saying trading conditions are “more challenging than ever”.

Nicholas Balfe originally launched Salon as a pop up in 2012 before being joined by Mark Gurney and Matt Bushnell. The trio (pictured) went on to open Levan and Larry’s, also in south London, before launching Holm in Somerset last year.

Announcing their debut restaurant’s closure on social media the team said: “It is with a very heavy heart that we have decided to close Salon. The weekend just gone was our last here in Brixton.

“This restaurant has been a wonderful home for us all over the last ten years. Industry trading conditions continue to be more challenging than ever, however, meaning that unfortunately we have had to make this difficult decision.”

Balfe, Gurney and Bushnell thanked their “incredible team”, producers, suppliers and “everyone that dined with us at 18 Market Row”. They added: “It was your continued enthusiasm and energy which made Salon such a unique and special place, and we’ll be forever grateful for your support.”

In 2017 Guardian food critic Grace Dent said: “Salon by day is homely and at night is experimental, possibly challenging to some diners, but completely worth leaving one’s postcode for. I have learned my lesson about blanking Brixton; there are wonderful things happening in SW9.”

Before opening the restaurant Balfe had been head chef at Brunswick House in Vauxhall, sous chef at Frank's Cafe and Campari Bar in Peckham and chef de partie for the Young Turks at The ten Bells in Spitalfields.