ARC Dining announces it is closing down as coronavirus crisis delivers fatal blow

The coronavirus crisis has delivered a fatal blow to Queensland’s number one restaurant with the Brisbane venue announcing this afternoon it is closing down.

ARC Dining, which was voted the number one restaurant in Queensland, has become yet another high-profile casualty of the coronavirus.

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In a statement released this afternoon, Howard Smith Wharves and ARC Dining’s head chef Alanna Sapwell confirmed the restaurant’s closure, only a year after opening.

“I’m devastated by the closure of ARC Dining,” Ms Sapwell said.

“I’m proud of them and hope we can work together again in the future.”

Ms Sapwell said she would stay at Howard Smith Wharves to cook take-home meals, as eateries at Howard Smith Wharves pivot in reaction to the coronavirus outbreak.

Arc Dining and Wine Bar at Howard Smith Wharves, Brisbane, has closed down. Picture: Brisbane Tourism

ARC Dining was voted number one by critics in the Sunday Mail’s Delicious 100 list, which ranks Queensland’s restaurants.

Howard Smith Wharves chief executive Luke Fraser however reassured the public other venues at the riverfront precinct would remain open.

“We are doing everything possible and leaving no stone unturned so we can bounce back once the crisis is over,” Mr Fraser said.

ARC Dining only opened a year ago. Picture: Brisbane Tourism

“We have implemented a number of additional measures from hand sanitiser, increasing our already high sanitisation and hygiene standards, increased social distancing and introducing new takeaway options.”

An open air cinema at Howard Smith Wharves was also recently cancelled after a Federal Government ban on gatherings of 500 people or more, which has since been upgraded to 100 people indoors.

ARC’s closing comes as popular South Brisbane restaurant Corella was also forced to close today, with owner Paul McGivern seeing diminishing returns whilst coronavirus sweeps across the state.

“It’s just not worth being open when you only have five to ten people in everyday” Mr McGivern told The Courier-Mail.

The restaurant industry stalwart will instead be shifting his focus and consolidating the restaurants staff into his popular Fish Lane wine bar, La Lune.

“If I could keep both locations open I would, but we don’t know how long this will go on for.” He said.

“Everyone will be getting as many shifts as possible, well except me of course. “