Franklin Restaurant & Bar announces permanent closure

UPDATED: An acclaimed Hobart restaurant has announced its doors will not be reopening, as fears grow for other hospitality businesses currently on “life support”.

UPDATE: One of Tasmania’s most iconic restaurants has announced its doors will not reopen, with fears many other businesses could be on “life support”.

In a shock announcement yesterday afternoon, Hobart’s Franklin Restaurant and Bar announced to its patrons that its doors had closed for good.

“It is with a heavy heart that we announce that Franklin’s doors won’t be reopening,” an Instagram post read.

“It’s difficult times and we wish everyone in the industry the best and again thank you for your support.”

Franklin restaurant in Hobart. Picture: NIKKI DAVIS-JONES

Since opening inside the old Mercury building in 2014, Franklin had scored two hats in The Good Food Guide 2020 and was recognised in delicious magazine’s inaugural list of the top 15 restaurants in the country last year.

Celebrity guests such as domestic goddess and cook Nigella Lawson, chef Christine Mansfield, and restaurant critic John Lethlean had dined there.

Tasmanian Hospitality Association chief executive Steve Old said it was a shame to see Franklin’s time come to an end.

“It became one of our iconic restaurants. It had such a fantastic reputation,” he said.

He said the closure reinforced the sad reality that some venues would not survive the coronavirus pandemic.

“People are saying the hospitality industry is in hibernation, but that suggests they’re hunkered down waiting. They’re actually on life support, and some of them aren’t going to come out. This is the toughest time they’re going to face.”

Tasmanian Hospitality Association chief executive Steve Old. Picture: ZAK SIMMONDS

Hobart Lord Mayor Anna Reynolds said the restaurant’s closure was sad.

“I’m very sad to see that they’ve decided to close, because they were very much one of the pioneering food businesses that tourists, when they came to Hobart, were seeking out Franklin because of its national reputation,” she said.

Cr Reynolds said the council understood Hobart was the centre of Tasmania’s food and hospitality culture. “Although the produce comes from around the state, the city of Hobart has the most innovative and highly regarded restaurants in our local area,” she said.

“And we know that those restaurants are really an important part of our business community, but also just a really important part of what Hobart is today.”

Cr Reynolds said the Hobart City Council was inviting applications from businesses for permits to occupy public spaces to allow for outdoor dining in addition to catering for diners indoors.

She said offering two separate dining spaces allowing for 10 customers in each could make a significant difference to the viability of many businesses.

Cr Reynolds said fees associated with the permit have been waived until June 30.

The Mercury wants to show its support to eateries fighting back from the coronavirus. Let us know if you’ve reopened and your hours and we will add you to our online list. Email us at mercury.news @themercury.com.au

EARLIER: One of Tasmania’s leading restaurants has announced its shock closure.

Franklin Restaurant & Bar on Argyle St in Hobart broke the bad news to diners on social media on Tuesday afternoon.

“It is with a heavy heart that we announce that Franklin’s doors won’t be re opening,” a post to Instagram read.

REVIEW: FRANKLIN’S EFFORTLESS ATTENTION INSPIRES RETURN VISITS

“A massive thank you to our staff some of whom have been with us since the beginning and to those whom have been with us in the past, we thank you too.

“It’s difficult times and we wish everyone in the industry the best and again thank you for your support. Look after each other.”

Tasmanian-born celebrity chef and Wild Adventure cookbook author Sarah Glover was one of the first people to sing the praises of the restaurant.

“This is so sad to hear. But I’m so thankful for my time working there and the many meals I’ve had,” she wrote.

“My life will forever be changed from working here for the better. Love you guys”.

Martha Stewart in Tasmania at the Bangor Wine and Oyster Shed with Sarah Glover. Picture: INSTAGRAM