News / Restaurants
Multi-award-winning restaurant to close
The team at a pioneering Bristol restaurant have announced that they will be closing its doors sometime this year.
Since opening in 2011, Poco has championed sustainability and seasonality.
The restaurant on Jamaica Street overlooking Turbo Island is currently open for brunch and tapas from Monday to Saturday, with Sunday lunch seeing nose-to-tail and root-to-fruit set menus alongside an a la carte tapas menu.
is needed now More than ever
In 2013, Poco was named the UK’s best ethical restaurant in the Observer Food Monthly awards.
Co-owners Jen Best, Ben Pryor and Tom Hunt have thanked customers and staff for all of their support over the last 12 years, saying that “the heart of Poco has been our community”.
View this post on Instagram
In a statement published on Instagram, the Poco team said: “We have big news to share with you.
“After 12 very special years sharing our hospitality with the folk of Bristol, we’ll be closing Poco later this spring.
“With both operational directors having young families and Jen moving to Devon, the time feels right to turn the page on a new chapter in our lives.
“We’ll continue to trade as we search for the right buyer for our lease, with the end of spring as a working horizon.
“The heart of Poco has been our community and we want to thank you all for the support you’ve given us over the past 12 years.
“You’d be hard pressed to find a more creative, talented and inspiring neighbourhood on the planet and opening our doors each morning to you all has been a joy and a privilege beyond words. Thank you.
“Our team has always been a family affair, with respect and care at the heart of it, which has meant lifelong friendships forged and (however fluffy it might sound) an energy of love which has been palpable for all who have visited over the years.
“Over 270 people have worked with us since we opened and we want to thank each of you from the bottom of our hearts for the passion and graft you’ve brought.
“It’s not the usual thing to go public with news like this months before it happens, we’ve always valued honesty and transparency though and didn’t feel it right to put the business on the market without telling our team.
“It also felt right that as we’ve played host to so many important life events, first dates and proposals over the years that we gave those of you for whom our space means something special a chance to come one last time.
“We’ll be here cooking up a storm while we search for the right buyer and we hope that lots of you who feel to can come and raise a glass.
“Do follow the three of us to see how our next chapters shape up – the adventures of @jenbestyoga setting up home and burying her hands in the soil on a farm in Devon, @cheftomhunt’s continued sustainable food evangelism, @benjaminpryor will be developing his photography practice, taking pictures of nice plates and wild places.
“We look forward to seeing lots of your faces one last time so please do book a table and come join us! Jen, Ben, Tom & Team Poco x”
Main photo: Martin Booth
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