Phil Vickery Cheltenham pub closes
The Merryfellow – home of No. 3 Restaurants, has ceased trading and is in the process of applying for insolvency. The Merryfellow in Charlton Kings is now closed, and the last service was on Sunday 14th January.
Founder and co-owner Phil Vickery MBE said: “We are very sad to have reached this point and to have had to decide to cease trading. Like so many other establishments operating in the hospitality sector, the effects of the cost-of-living crisis, astronomic increases in energy bills, and a lack of support from the government for the sector have had a devastating effect on trade. I would though like to thank our fantastic team of staff and loyal customers for all their support”.
The Merryfellow is closed for the foreseeable future. Some of the existing team members are in discussions about the possibility of taking on the premises and if these conclude successfully, they will make another announcement. Staff are contacting customers who have future bookings to advise them, and No. 3 has written to creditors.
Former rugby player Phil Vickery and Celebrity Master Chef winner too over the Merryfellow last July with the transfer of his restaurant No3 from central Cheltenham to the pub.
More than two pubs a day closed in the first half of 2023, according to figures released by commercial real estate analyst Altus Group last September.