The hospitality industry seems to be the lighting rod for the economic impact that the ongoing coronavirus crisis is wreaking across society. When this terrible disease itself is long gone, as we hope and pray it will be, there will be some irreplaceable gaps in our lives. And while the human toll is, of course, our primary concern, we will also mourn the passing of some truly great restaurants. And it looks like one such loss will be Hix.

One of our favourite restaurants, Hix Oyster & Chop House, will join Mark Hix’s other restaurants along with his Lyme Regis boutique hotel Hix Townhouse in going into administration today.

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Chef, writer and entrepreneur Hix explained in a from-the-heart Instagram post yesterday that the decision was made by directors of the business, and that although it’s his name above the door he did not agree with the proposal, saying “Although the press are using, and will use, my name as the responsible Director this was not my decision.”

The immediate upshot is that the staff will be made redundant and, as such, won’t be able to qualify for the government’s furlough scheme, which will be a particular blow to the families who might have otherwise qualified for the government’s 80% salary scheme at least until the end of the current shutdown.

But it’s also a real loss to anyone who, like us, loved eating at the Hix restaurants, with their wonderful atmosphere, fabulous art and brilliant food. Hix has vowed to return in some way in future, but his experience underscores the uncertain times we’re living in. We wish the best to all who worked at Hix’s restaurants as well as hoping Hix himself is able to phoenix soon along with the whole sector.

Restaurants

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