Birmingham Chef Closes Michelin-Starred Simpsons After 32 Years, Warns of Hospitality Crisis

After 32 years delighting diners, Birmingham chef Andreas Antona has closed his Michelin-starred restaurant Simpsons, citing that it “hadn’t made money in well over a year.” Antona warns this closure may signal the beginning of an “avalanche” of shutdowns across the hospitality sector unless meaningful government support is introduced.

Simpsons, which originally opened in Kenilworth before relocating to Edgbaston in 2004, was the city’s first restaurant to earn a Michelin star. Its closure on May 28 marks the end of an era and has drawn heartfelt tributes from chefs who began their careers under Antona’s guidance.

In an interview with BBC Radio WM, Antona shared that the decision to close was “a long time coming” due to mounting financial pressures. “We ran out of road and it was inevitable,” he said. “It’s very difficult to make money right now. Restaurants simply aren’t profitable because the current business model doesn’t work.”

Antona, who also owns The Cross in Kenilworth, noted that fewer than 5% of restaurants nationwide are currently making a profit. He emphasized that escalating costs—including energy prices, rising wages, ingredient expenses, and the return of business rates—are squeezing margins. Additionally, shifts in customer behavior, such as earlier dining times, compound these challenges.

Calling on the government for immediate action, Antona suggested that a reduction in VAT rates could ease pressure on the struggling sector. “It’s heartbreaking for small, family-run businesses. There’s a lack of understanding about what’s truly at stake,” he reflected.

Despite the disappointment, Antona expressed gratitude for the support received from former staff and loyal patrons. “Simpsons was a well-loved institution, and it’s hard to accept this ending,” he said. “But the current economic climate demands urgent change if Birmingham’s hospitality industry—and others like it—are to survive.”