Rick Stein closes Marlborough restaurant after final service
Rick Stein Restaurants has confirmed the permanent closure of its Marlborough site, marking the end of almost ten years in the Wiltshire market town.
The restaurant, which first opened in 2016, held its final dinner service on Sunday evening, October 5 before announcing the news publicly.
In an email shared with guests, the group said: “After much consideration, we’re very sad to announce that our restaurant will close after dinner service tonight. We want to sincerely thank everyone who has dined with us and supported us here over the years, we’ve loved being part of the Marlborough community.
"We’ve been in touch with guests who had upcoming reservations to help them make other plans. If you hold a Rick Stein Marlborough gift card, it can still be redeemed at any of our other restaurants or for online purchases.
"We also want to express our heartfelt thanks to our wonderful team, whose passion, hard work, and dedication have created so many memorable experiences for our guests.
"While this chapter comes to a close, we’d love to welcome Marlborough guests to our other restaurants, where we hope to recall fond memories of nights spent in Marlborough and create new ones together.”
In a post on the website, it reads: "After much consideration, we’re very sad to announce that our restaurant in Marlborough will close from Sunday 5th October.
"We want to sincerely thank everyone who has dined with us and supported us here over the years, we’ve loved being part of the Marlborough community.
"We’ve been in touch with guests who had upcoming reservations to help them make other plans. If you hold a Rick Stein Marlborough gift card, it can still be redeemed at any of our other restaurants or for online purchases.
"We also want to express our heartfelt thanks to our wonderful team in Marlborough, whose passion, hard work, and dedication have created so many memorable experiences for our guests.
"While this chapter comes to a close, we’d love to welcome Marlborough guests to our other restaurants, where we hope to share fond memories of nights spent in Marlborough and create new ones together.
"We’re incredibly grateful for the warmth and loyalty you’ve shown and hope to see you again soon.
"With thanks, Rick, Jill, Ed, Jack and Charlie Stein – and all the team in Marlborough."
A decade of Cornish seafood in Wiltshire
Set within the Grade II-listed Lloran House on the town’s High Street, the 84-cover restaurant was the group’s first inland opening and a notable step away from
It brought Rick Stein’s signature approach to fresh fish and shellfish to a new audience, featuring dishes such as Indonesian seafood curry, hake and chips, and turbot with hollandaise - all staples that reflected the chef’s lifelong love of seafood cookery.
When it opened, Rick described the decision to expand inland as an exciting challenge and an opportunity to “bring a little taste of Padstow to Marlborough.” The site was warmly received by locals and visitors alike, praised for its relaxed atmosphere and reliable execution of classic Stein dishes.
Economic headwinds and changing trading conditions
Despite a loyal following, Marlborough’s performance had reportedly lagged behind the group’s coastal sites for several years.
According to The Caterer, in 2020, the restaurant narrowly avoided closure when its landlord agreed to a rent reduction of almost 25 percent - a temporary reprieve during the uncertainty of the pandemic.
The wider Rick Stein Group, which operates restaurants in Padstow, Sandbanks, Winchester and Barnes, has faced similar pressures. In its most recent filings, the company reported a 5.4 percent decline in turnover for the 2024 financial year, attributing the drop to sustained cost inflation and weaker discretionary spending among diners.
A spokesperson previously told The Staff Canteen that while Marlborough remained a valued part of the portfolio, its trading performance was being closely reviewed amid “challenging conditions for restaurants across the UK.”
Looking ahead
While the closure marks the end of a chapter in Marlborough, the group continues to invest in its other operations. Its flagship in Padstow - Rick and Jill Stein’s original restaurant - remains a cornerstone of the brand and a major tourism draw for Cornwall. The company also operates cafés, a deli, and accommodation across the town, supported by its long-running cookery school.
The group has maintained a focus on its coastal identity, with Sandbanks and Winchester continuing to perform strongly.
Each site is led by chefs trained in the Stein philosophy of straightforward, ingredient-led seafood cookery - a hallmark that has defined the brand for nearly five decades.
The end of an era for Marlborough diners
The Marlborough restaurant held a special place in the company’s story. For locals, it provided a rare inland link to Cornwall’s celebrated seafood culture.
written by abi kinsella
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Rick Stein closes Marlborough restaurant after final service
