'Relentless' pressures force popular Glasgow restaurant Brian Maule's Chardon D’Or into administration

A popular fine dining restaurant in Glasgow has collapsed into administration after facing “relentless” pressure.

Celebrated chef Brian Maule cooked at Chardon D’Or for the last time on July 22.

He operated the iconic venue on the city’s West Regent Street since 2001, after years of perfecting his craft.

The team said the business could no longer sustain under the pressure of Covid, the cost-of-living crisis, increased homeworking, plunging property value and a general “lack of support” for the hospitality sector.

On July 27, Blair Nimmo and Alistair McAlinden from Interpath Advisory were appointed joint administrators to Le Chardon d’Or Limited, the company which operates Brian Maule at Chardon d’Or.

All 21 employees of the restaurant have been made redundant as there is no prospect of resuming trade in the foreseeable future, Interpath said.

Mr Nimmo, chief executive of Interpath, said: “These are tough times for the hospitality industry, which was first left reeling by the impact of lockdown measures during the pandemic, and which has since had to contend with hyperinflation and the impact of the cost-of-living crisis on its customer base.”

Mr McAlinden, head of Interpath in Scotland, added: “Brian has worked tirelessly to ensure that Chardon D’or’s market-leading reputation was maintained, even in the face of the most challenging trading and financial conditions in its 22 year history.

“Our immediate priority will be to provide assistance to employees, including providing them with the information necessary to make claims for redundancy pay from the Redundancy Payments Office.”

He added that the company would also be selling its West Regent Street property, and asked any interested parties to contact Interpath.

One of Glasgow’s most recognised fine dining establishments, Brian Maule at Chardon D’Or provided patrons with a sophisticated fine dining French restaurant, with a Scottish twist.

A previous statement from the restaurant board read: “The considerable pressures on the hospitality industry just now and projected are well understood.

“Chardon D’Or has its full share of these with soaring food and energy costs, no more rates relief, a customer base in a cost-of-living crisis and big medium-term turnover uncertainty.

“Location though, is critical. At the outset, in 2001, and for the next 20 years, Chardon lay in a busy, thriving business district.

“Covid has changed all that. Many of the surrounding businesses are now closed or up for sale or let and those still open are mainly occupied on a part-time basis. This has had the two-fold impact of a substantial reduction in restaurant business and a depression in property values.

“Desperately, sadly, with all this coming together, the inescapable conclusion for Brian Maule and the team is that the Chardon business on West Regent Street will have to close.

“It’s a sad loss for the city.”