Pip Lacey and Gordy McIntyre's Hicce restaurant to close later this year

The Staff Canteen

Pip Lacey and Gordy McIntyre have announced their flagship Hicce restaurant will close in December 2023.

In a post on their Instagram, the pair explained the decision was made following the activation of a break clause in their landlord's lease.

Commenting on the closure, Hicce said:  "Unfortunately, whilst presenting our planned investment to the estate landlord just over 18 months ago, we were rather unceremoniously made aware that a break clause had been activated in our landlord's lease, ultimately affecting ours."

They added: "We were offered what turned out to be false hope that we had the possibility to remain, and potentially secure a new long-term lease. While we have tried to negotiate and secure our future either in our current home or a potential new location within Coal Drops Yard, this final hurdle has proven to be the biggest and ultimately, insurmountable."

The pair revealed that their business had survived the pandemic, train strikes, staffing challenges and soaring inflation to remain profitable, but said "unfortunately for us, this seems to have not been enough".

Commenting on their plans for the future, the pair explained: "This certainly is not the end of the Hicce journey. December 2023 will see our final service, although the exact date has not been confirmed just yet. We will keep you posted on how we intend to celebrate our almost six years in our original home."

Hicce opened as a wood-fired dining experience in 2018, with the sister pub Hicce Hart opening in November 2022.

Pip the former head chef at Angela Hartnett's Murano, opened the restaurant with her long-time business partner and best friend Gordy McIntyre, who was previously opening and operations manager at Greene King.

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The Staff Canteen

The Staff Canteen

Editor 28th September 2023

Pip Lacey and Gordy McIntyre's Hicce restaurant to close later this year