The FINANCIAL -- Tony Singh's
Edinburgh restaurant Oloroso is on the verge of closing, Caterer and
Hotelkeeper has learned.
The restaurant, which first opened in 2001, has entered a consultation period with its staff and suppliers to determine its future.
The move comes two years after Singh was forced to close his Tony's Table bistro in Edinburgh's New Town after running into financial problems. The site is now home to Martin Wishart's The Honours.
Oloroso chef-proprietor Singh blamed the economic downturn and tough trading conditions for the decision to potentially close Oloroso.
He said: "I'm extremely proud of what we have achieved at Oloroso over the last ten years. Running my own restaurant has been an unforgettable experience; however the current economic climate is incredibly challenging and in all honesty it has made me question my future, as well as the future of my staff and suppliers.
"Today marks the commencement of a consultation period with the staff during which my proposal to close the restaurant will be discussed in-house."
Singh added: "The proposal comes at a time where I feel that it makes sense to take a step back from the industry during these difficult times and re-group. Although I've got some exciting projects in the pipeline, right now my priority is to spend some time with my family, who have stood by me throughout the long days and nights.
Oloroso staff and suppliers were informed of the likely closure of the restaurant today, with Singh insisting that all contractual and financial obligations would be met. A fourth-generation Scottish Sikh, Singh has lived north of the border for most of his life. As Caterer and Hotelkeeper reported, he did a stint down south at Gravetye Manor, East Grinstead, West Sussex, and at at the St Ermins hotel in London but the rest of his CV is sprinkled with Scottish culinary hotspots including Greywalls Hotel in Gullane, East Lothian, and Martins Restaurant in nearby Rose Street, and the Royal Yacht Britannia, where he picked up ITV Chef of the Year 2000.
Singh opened Oloroso in December 2001 together with former business partner James Sankey, who died a year after the opening. Meaning fragrant and aromatic in Spanish, Oloroso is housed on the fourth floor of a listed building in George Street, featuring a rooftop terrace with uninterrupted views of Edinburgh Castle.
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