UK iconic department store closes two celebrity-owned eateries due to high-priced fish & chips drawing criticism
Harrods Shifts Focus: A New Era of Dining Experiences
Harrods, the iconic London department store, is ushering in a new chapter for its dining offerings. The luxury retailer is moving away from celebrity chef-led restaurants and towards developing its own versatile dining experiences that cater to modern customer behavior and align with its brand vision.
The strategic review of customer feedback and market trends has led Harrods to conclude that its previous model of featuring high-profile chefs no longer resonates with its clientele. As a result, Tom Kerridge’s Fish & Chips, Sushi by Masa, Calum Franklin at The Georgian, and Gordon Ramsay Burger will close by the end of August 2025, with the latter remaining open until January 2026.
Michael Ward, the managing director of Harrods, emphasizes the goal to rebalance the food and beverage offering led by Harrods-owned concepts while continuing to invest in new developments aligned with the shift towards dining earlier in the evening and all-day accessibility. This change in strategy is part of a considered customer approach, reflecting the increasing trend of people eating earlier in the evening, as evidenced by a 11% increase in 6pm reservations in London and a 6% increase across Britain, according to OpenTable data.
While Hot Dogs by Three Darlings, a gourmet hot dog concept owned by Jason Atherton, has closed, the renowned chef continues to operate several well-received restaurants, including Pollen Street Social and Row on 45, which boasts two Michelin stars. Harrods will continue to host a few restaurants, such as Pasta Evangelists and the recently opened Kinoya Ramen Bar, which was created by Neha Mishra and is now located at Harrods.
A new addition to Harrods' Dining Hall is the Caviar Bar, which promises a "new level of indulgence" and offers an £75 lobster cocktail. The Caviar Bar has taken over the space previously occupied by Sushi by Masa.
This shift in Harrods' dining strategy is a deliberate move to move away from relying on star chef-led venues and instead develop internally owned, versatile dining experiences that better suit modern customer behavior and Harrods’ brand vision. The department store remains committed to providing exceptional dining experiences for its customers while staying attuned to industry trends.
- In an effort to cater to the modern customer behavior and align with its brand vision, Harrods plans to develop its own versatile dining experiences beyond celebrity chef-led restaurants, featuring food-and-drink options like the new Caviar Bar, promising a "new level of indulgence."
- As Harrods shifts its focus from celebrity chef-led restaurants to internally owned dining experiences, entertainment opportunities will also evolve within the store, with a diverse lineup that includes dining earlier in the evening, all-day accessibility, and events featuring celebrities.
