The hospitality industry can often be cruel and 2024 was no different, with many independent restaurants shutting their doors for the last time last year. While some businesses cited personal circumstances as the reason behind their closure, many pointed to industry-wide issues such as rising interest rates and energy bills as key factors.
Some Michelin Guide-recommended favourites closed this year, as well as some restaurants that had been open for well over a decade. A number of smaller cafes and tearooms that were newer to the cities were also lost.
While a number of popular venues closed last year, 2024 also saw new restaurants open, including steak restaurant Mugshot, which opened in Cardiff, and The Shed in Swansea. You can read our full list of all the restaurants that opened in 2024 here. Meanwhile, here are all the ones that shut…
The Conway
The acclaimed Cardiff gastropub was one of the first in 2024 to announce its closure in the Welsh capital – in January. The team at The Conway said: “We are extremely sad to have to announce the closure of The Conway. The much-publicised financial difficulties which have plagued the hospitality industry have finally become too unwieldly to manage. Despite our very best efforts to mitigate them, the challenge is now too great to enable us to continue trading.”
The post continued: “We would like to thank our hardworking, dedicated staff, many of whom have been with us several years. And of course all of our customers, but in particular our loyal regulars for their unwavering support over the years. You have all helped us put The Conway into the heart of the local Pontcanna community over the last 15 years.”
Bangkok
Popular Swansea restaurant Bangkok closed its doors in November. The restaurant was run by talented chefs April and Chris Napier who previously ran Bangkok Express takeaway in Walter Road for more than five years. It opened in Uplands in 2022.
A statement addressed to its ‘valued customers’ read: “It is with a heavy heart and this may come as a shock that we announce the closing of our restaurant. Our last day of service will be Sunday, November 3. As much as we have loved serving you over the years (five years in the takeaway and two years in the restaurant), we have made the difficult decision to step away as we have sacrificed a lot of family times and now we would love to focus on our family/work life balance.
“However, this is not the end! We plan to return with pop-ups in the near future and can’t wait to share more meals and moments with you. Thank you so much for your incredible support to our little family business and for being a part of our journey. We can honestly say we’ve made lots of great memories and achieved so much during the years as well as some customers that we’ve come to be friends with. These will be treasured forever.”
Poca
(Image: Steph Colderick)
Small plates venue Poca in Pontcanna closed its doors in August. Poca was launched by well-known Cardiff chef Antonio Simone and opened in the suburb in July, 2023. A post shared on the restaurant’s story explained that owners had “no choice” but to close the restaurant due to the building they worked from being sold.
However, based on their Instagram it seems like a new project is on the horizon. For the latest restaurant reviews, sign up to our food and drink newsletter here
Nook
Independent restaurant Nook closed down in June, 2024, after nearly five years of trading. The restaurant, owned by couple Deb and Phill Lewis, was recognised by the Michelin Guide.
In a post on social media, they announced the news with “mixed emotion”. They said their ten-year experience in hospitality and self-employment since quitting their 9-5 jobs had been “undulating” with “highs and the all too real lows”. But now they have found themselves “at an impasse” with Nook. “Our current chef is moving on to pastures new and we have decided to take the opportunity to go out on a high,” the pair wrote.
They added their announcement was “not a eulogy” but “more a reincarnation” as they would be handing over the keys to chefs Lewis Dwyer and Andy Aston, the owners of Hiraeth. However, based on a recent post on their Instagram page, Deb and Phill will be taking Nook on the road in 2025.
Kindle
(Image: Aga Hosking Photography)
Another one of Deb and Phill Lewis’s restaurants closed in early 2024. Kindle, a sustainable, wood-fired restaurant opened in the former Bute Park warden’s bungalow in 2021, but closed in January. Deb and Phill said that because of a “number of factors” being faced by the industry as a whole, they could not “maintain any longer”.
In the statement they talked about working “tirelessly” to create a beautiful restaurant, adding: “We are extremely proud of our achievement in transforming the old abandoned building, serving thousands of people during its time, being recognised across the country for good food and for all our team members’ tireless contribution and effort along Kindle’s journey.
“We want to thank every member of the team for helping make Kindle such a memorable and special place and all our guests, suppliers and friends for their support over the last few years. This decision is in no way a reflection of the outstanding food produced by the kitchen team or sensational service by the front of house team, but a reflection of the current industry struggles and a worrying pattern as we see multiple business closures up and down the country.”
Chuckaboo
Chuckaboo, a late-night coffee shop and bar in the heart of Swansea, closed down in April. Business-owner Gurinder ‘Inder’ Singh felt late-night offerings in Swansea, particularly for people who didn’t want to go dancing or spend their evenings in a typical noisy and rowdy bar or club, were limited so set up Chuckaboo in February, 2023.
However, in a note shared with customers in April, 2024, he wrote: “Dear valued patrons, it is with deep regret that we announce the closure of Chuckaboo. This difficult decision comes after careful consideration due to a confluence of challenging economic factors.
“Rising interest rates, energy costs and the general increase in the costs of goods and services have significantly impacted our operations. Additionally, the recent increase in business rates has further compounded these challenges. We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience this closure may cause. We are incredibly grateful for your patronage and the opportunity to serve you over the past year.”
Brass Beetle
(Image: South Wales ech)
The popular Cardiff restaurant, which served pizzas and cocktails closed its doors at the end of January, 2024. Brass Beetle had been running since 2017 but said that due to the “challenging” issues facing the hospitality industry, it would be shutting its doors for good on Saturday, January 27.
In a heartfelt post issued on their Instagram page, the staff behind the Brass Beetle explained that their decision to close was not “taken lightly”. They went on to thank the customers that had visited the restaurant since it opened nearly seven years ago. At the end of their post, they highlighted the importance of supporting local independent businesses. In the statement, they wrote: “We have an announcement to make; we have come to the almost impossible decision to close down the Brass Beetle at the end of the month. This is not a decision we have taken lightly but is due to the challenging issues facing the hospitality industry.”
Frampton’s
Popular tearoom Frampton’s, based in Loughor, Swansea, closed its doors after four years due to family commitments.
A message to their customers read: “It is with mixed emotions that we announce the closure of our wonderful cafe. Due to family commitments and the exciting arrival of a new baby in September, we have made the difficult decision to close our doors after four wonderful years.
“As we are no longer able to dedicate the hours needed to run the cafe. All bookings made after this date will be contacted, but if you see this post in the meantime, please assume your table has been cancelled. We are deeply grateful to all our customers who have supported us over the years. Your support has made this journey possible, and we really couldn’t have done it without you.
On a brighter note, we are not disappearing entirely. We will continue to take orders for cakes, buffets, afternoon teas, treat boxes along with some exciting new additions such as wedding favours (welsh cakes etc). So all you chocolate cake lovers can still have your fix. And rest assured, all remaining bookings/baby showers and orders will be honoured.
“We would also like to thank all past and present staff for their help over the years. You have all played a huge part in Frampton’s over the years. Thank you once again from the bottom of our hearts for your support. Ffion and Jackie.”
Anna-Loka
(Image: WalesOnline/Rob Browne)
The popular vegan restaurant, Anna-Loka, announced in February that it would close. The independent business, which is located in Albany Road in the Roath area of Cardiff, opened its doors in 2015 and was dubbed the “first vegan restaurant” of the city.
In a post shared on Facebook, the owners said the restaurant “simply [could not] carry on” due to rising costs, and warned there was a “crisis” happening in the hospitality sector. However, in November, the business made a comeback as a trailer in Working Street, near St John’s Gardens.
The Smoke House
The Pontcanna barbecue restaurant also closed in January after more than a decade of trading. Once again the “financial climate” was blamed. In a post to its social media pages on Thursday, January 18, the restaurant said: “As we approach the 11th anniversary since we opened in the beautiful Pontcanna we’ve made the difficult decision to turn off the smokers. The hard work and dedication that goes into keeping the doors open should result in some reward but in the current financial climate that simply isn’t the case.”
The Coconut Tree
The Cardiff branch of The Coconut Tree has closed down after five years in the city. The restaurant, serving Sri Lankan food including tapas-style small plates, is the latest of a startling number of eateries in the capital to have closed since the new year. The Coconut Tree’s Cardiff branch first opened in Mill Lane in the city centre in 2019.
A spokesperson for the restaurant chain said: “We’ve decided not to renew our lease on The Coconut Tree restaurant in Cardiff. We’ve had a great five years here and would like to thank all our customers and staff who’ve enjoyed a taste of Sri Lanka with us. All staff members will all be offered other positions within our group. This will not affect any of our other eight restaurants.”
Wildflower Kitchen
Another Cardiff café, Wildflower Kitchen, has announced it will be closing due to “ever-increasing costs”. On Thursday, March 14, the café in Whitchurch Road said it would be closing its doors for good on Sunday, March 24.
In a Facebook post, the owner of the café said it had not been a “decision made lightly”, but described the hospitality industry as “on its knees”. They added that support “from higher up” had been a “shambles”.