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(15 Posts)
Jane10 Wed 15-Jul-20 09:47:05

Ten restaurants near us have had to close down permanently due to not being able to trade over the lockdown. Spring and summer is when they make their money and that was a write off this year. These are just the higher profile ones including a pioneering vegetarian restaurant that's been in the same family since the 50s. Its a real Edinburgh institution (Henderson).
Fingers crossed for all the other ones. We're collecting a dinner from our favourite small restaurant (The Lighthouse) on Friday. It's not very convenient but we're happy to do what we can to support the proprietors.

mcem Wed 15-Jul-20 09:50:58

A couple of local businesses really took on the challenge - started deliveries and takeaway service when there had been none. They were well supported and have raised their profile.
Good luck to them now. I really hope they can maintain the goodwill they've built up in hard times.

Grandmabatty Wed 15-Jul-20 09:57:39

I was so sad to hear that Henderson's was closing. I remember my first visit in the mid 70s and being amazed at the array of tasty foods. Although there are a number of veggie places in Edinburgh now, Henderson's had a place in my heart. Really sad.

Jane10 Wed 15-Jul-20 10:11:24

Although restaurants will be opening the Lighthouse, like many others, is pretty small. By the time sufficient tables are removed to meet social distancing standards there wouldn't be enough tables to generate enough income to cover costs.
Fingers firmly crossed for the restaurant my DS manages.
I do know that many other industries are in trouble too. Its just that this one is close to my heart.

kittylester Wed 15-Jul-20 10:28:19

We have half a dozen pubs in the village, most of them have been doing a roaring trade in takeaways. But, we have a lovely 'gastro pub' which has done nothing at all and is almost non existent on social media and I fear for them.

I have mentioned previously though that some people are taking advantage of the situation and we have enjoyed delicious meals made by a woman, in her own inspected kitchen, who trained in Michelin starred restaurants.

Marmight Wed 15-Jul-20 10:57:59

Shame about Hendersons. A Hanover St. institution.

TwiceAsNice Wed 15-Jul-20 11:06:47

I think pubs and other eating places which haven’t changed to meet the current climate unfortunately do risk going under

Our local pub arranged timed pick ups for food and beer and stayed afloat . Our local farm shop arranged food delivery boxes of all kinds of things and have done a roaring trade.

I think premises which have diversified have stayed in business, good for them for trying harder. You can’t really do nothing and expect to be ok

MawB Wed 15-Jul-20 11:31:00

Noooooooooooo!
Not Henderson’s! I first went there in my teens and felt very cool and hippy chic with my tabbouleh and hummus which they had never heard of in the Borders. (We’d only just discovered Ski yogurt! )
Sad news indeed. sad

J52 Wed 15-Jul-20 13:29:04

I’m another one who is sad about this. First went to Henderson’s in 1970, it quickly became our go to place when in Edinburgh. We recommended it to so many people, over the years.
Wasn’t it called Henderson’s Salad Bar, in the beginning? I also seem to remember it having Jazz nights in the 80s.
Such a shame.

Lucca Wed 15-Jul-20 13:38:47

Henderson’s !, went there in late sixties during Edinburgh festival. Lovely food. That’s a real shame.

suzette1613 Wed 15-Jul-20 20:00:59

What a shame about Hendersons, a great place. First went as a student in the 70s, many times since.
Yes, it was called Henderson’s Salad Table earlier on, was a bigger restaurant too if I remember rightly.

BlueBelle Wed 15-Jul-20 20:03:32

Never heard of Henderson’s is it local to an area?
Our local theatre is struggling and not able to open in the foreseeable future its a beautiful old building that has been refurbished over the years

Jane10 Wed 15-Jul-20 21:03:00

Hendersons is or rather was an Edinburgh institution. Family run. Very sad to see it go.

rubysong Wed 15-Jul-20 22:50:29

I have been collecting a takeaway meal from the village pub every week since March for us and for our neighbours who are shielding. It is just a way of supporting the local and makes up for the Guinness DH would have been buying on Friday nights. They are now open but only at outdoor tables and things are fairly quiet.

Eloethan Thu 16-Jul-20 00:15:45

The general consensus seems to be that "chains" will be more able to withstand the effects of the lockdown than small independent restaurants and cafes. I think that's quite worrying.