One of Leicester鈥檚 most prominent restaurants has closed after more than 30 years in business. The owner of the Case Restaurant and Champagne Bar, in Hotel Street, said it had closed its doors for good over the weekend.
The business was based on the first floor of a converted luggage factory and had a private function room upstairs with a more recent Champagne bar on the ground floor. For much of the past three decades it had been a popular place to eat and get together for the city鈥檚 business community.
Owner David Hartshorn, who launched the restaurant in 1990 as a caf茅 bar, had in the past said one reason they had continued to attract corporate diners and business parties was an emphasis on ensuring all their produce was fresh and, wherever possible, locally sourced.
It was also known for opening its doors to feed the homeless on Christmas day.
Writing on the venue's website Mr Hartshorn thanked the business's friends for their years of support but said, 鈥渨ith a heavy heart鈥, the decision had been made to close.
He said: 鈥33 years ago we flung our doors open. And we鈥檝e just had to close them. For the very last time.
鈥淪ince 1990, we鈥檝e had a blast. But we鈥檝e had some tough times too.
鈥淎long the way, we鈥檝e created and served fine seasonal dishes to some truly wonderful customers. We鈥檝e worked with incredibly talented people in the kitchen and front of house. Our suppliers have been a joy.
鈥淭ogether, we鈥檝e laughed, quaffed, danced, cried and celebrated. We鈥檝e remained gloriously independent throughout.
鈥淭hroughout recessions, a pandemic and mind-numbingly short-sighted decisions from Leicester City Council, we stayed true to our values.
鈥淲e鈥檝e worked unbelievably hard. Because it鈥檚 been our life blood. Our passion. Our love. We set the benchmark.
鈥淎las, we have no more to give.
鈥淯ltimately, none of this journey would have been possible without you. You know who you all are.
鈥淲e rest our case. We rest The Case.
鈥淭ake care my friends, thank you for the ride. David x.鈥
Speaking to LeicestershireLive Leicester city Mayor Sir Peter Soulsby denied that changes to streets in St Martins around the restaurant 鈥 including pedestrianisation 鈥 had negatively impacted the area.
He said: 鈥淚t is sad news of course and I think that the owner of The Case has feelings that things that the city council have done around him have directly affected his restaurant.
鈥淭he fact is that what we have done has seen so many new businesses and restaurants open in that area.鈥
鈥淭he transformation of the St Martin's area has revitalised it and it has paid off with many new businesses.
鈥淭he area has been transformed and you just have to look at it.
鈥淧eople have actively wanted to come and open restaurants there because of what we have done, and I will not be surprised to see someone else in The Case before long.鈥
