Popular restaurant chain announces sudden closure of all UK branches

A popular restaurant chain has closed down after 20 years and has shuttered all its UK locations. Chinese dim sum restaurant Ping Pong was founded in 2005 by restaurateur Kurt Zdesar.

But in a sad update on Instagram, the chain confirmed all its restaurants have now been shut down. Ping Pong said: "It’s a wrap. After 20 unforgettable years, all Ping Pong locations are now permanently closed.

“We’re incredibly proud of what we built, an independent hospitality brand full of creativity, flavour and soul. To everyone who joined us over the years, for dim sum dates, happy hours, bottomless brunches, and just-because catch-ups – thank you.

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“You shared your moments with us, passed around little parcels of deliciousness, and helped make Ping Pong what it was. To our collaborators, suppliers, and the incredible team who kept the steam going, thank you. It’s been sum-thing truly special.”

Devastated diners have been responding to the social media post, with one person saying: "Noooo, we've made some amazing memories there, birthdays, anniversaries , you name it. The food was always so amazing"

Another commented: "This is very very sad. Will be sorely missed." A third said: "WHAT?? WE HAD NO CHANCE TO SAY GOODBYE! NO WARNING."

A fourth posted: "We had so many good times there. The food and the lychee cocktails will be sorely missed." Another said: "Omgggggggggg nooooooooooo!!!!!!!! If I knew I’d have made one last trip. So sad."

It comes after Ping Pong received backlash last year after it replaced its service charge with a discretionary 15% "brand charge" that it said covered franchise fees and other brand-related expenses.

Ping Pong said at the time that it was trialling the charge ahead of new legislation which made it illegal for employers to hold back service charges from their staff. It came against a backdrop of higher inflation and energy costs for businesses.

Ping Pong reported trading losses of £1.4million in the year to March 2020.

Art Sagiryan, Ping Pong chief executive, told The Times: “Everyone in the industry is waiting to see who does what. There will be people introducing cover charges, there will be people introducing higher bills or menu prices, and we in the interim are trying to decide where we will go.”

It comes after restaurant chainBrowns closed its first ever branch in Brighton last month. The brasserie and bar chain is known for its traditional British menu, alongside its breakfasts, lunches, afternoon teas, and traditional Sunday roasts.

This specific Browns branch was the first to open in 1973. The restaurant chain currently has 26 sites across the UK, with branches in London, Bristol, and Cambridge.