‘Never been able to make it work’ – Gary Usher closes Burnt Truffle

Chef Gary Usher has confirmed the closure of his Merseyside restaurant Burnt Truffle.

Based in Heswall on the Wirral, award-winning bistro Burnt Truffle opened in 2015, after a successful crowdfunding campaign.

But Gary has decided now to close down the two AA Rosette restaurant, with focus moving to his other ventures within his Elite Bistros business, such as the Sticky Walnut in Chester.

In a statement released on social media platform X, Gary said: “We are now closed for good. I had a 10-year lease and that lease has come to an end. I could have renewed that lease, but the honest truth is I’ve never been able to make it work here.

“I’ve been quite vocal about how difficult the government have made it over the last few years, but ultimately I’ve never been able to make it work here. So the best business decision for us is to close. So we’re closing Burnt Truffle from today.

“It is a sad day, it really is.

“What does it mean for the business moving forward? We carry on, we just keep going, we keep trying and we keep innovating to get through these tough times.

“Thank you to everyone that came, thank you to all the team, thank you to all the guests. We’ve loved being in Heswall, we’ve loved being in Burnt Truffle, but that’s the end.”

Gary went on to confirm all his bills had been paid off and that anybody who had a voucher for Burnt Truffle can instead use it at any of five his other restaurants, pub or bakery, or redeemed.