Covid 19 coronavirus: O Connell Street Bistro to close after 24 years of service
17 Mar, 2021 12:00 PM
4 minutes to read
NZ Herald
Auckland fixture O Connell Street Bistro will close next month after 24 years of service as Covid-19 continues to hit restaurants hard.
The fine-dining restaurant survived the power crisis in early 1998 which forced them to shut down temporarily and a fire in 2016 which resulted in an eight-month closure - all while keeping their team fully employed.
But Covid-19 has proven too much for the establishment which has become one of the many hospitality businesses crippled by the pandemic.
Read More
Advertisement With the continuing lockdowns and the challenges of operating at level 2 in the first two months of 2021, and with no clear respite ahead, it is unsustainable to continue, Upton said.
Press Release – O’Connell Street Bistro After 24 years, the famed OConnell Street Bistro in Aucklands OConnell Street is closing its doors for good on Friday April 16, 2021. Owners and founders Chris Upton and Amanda Mason point to the insecurity of COVID-19 and being unable …
After 24 years, the famed O’Connell Street Bistro in Auckland’s O’Connell Street is closing its doors for good on Friday April 16, 2021.
Owners and founders Chris Upton and Amanda Mason point to the insecurity of COVID-19 and being unable to successfully renegotiate their lease as the reasons behind the difficult decision to close their doors after more than two decades in business.
Thursday, 18 March 2021, 7:37 am
After 24 years, the famed O’Connell Street Bistro in
Auckland’s O’Connell Street is closing its doors for
good on Friday April 16, 2021.
Owners and founders
Chris Upton and Amanda Mason point to the insecurity of
COVID-19 and being unable to successfully renegotiate their
lease as the reasons behind the difficult decision to close
their doors after more than two decades in
business.
The couple say that like many in the
hospitality industry, they have had to continue paying fixed
costs that occur throughout successive COVID
levels.
“With the continuing lock downs and the
challenges of operating at Level 2 in the first two months
“With the continuing lock downs and the challenges of operating at level 2 in the first two months of 2021, and with no clear respite ahead, it is unsustainable to continue,” Upton said. The renowned bistro, which corners Shortland St and O’Connell St, won one Hat in the Cuisine Good Food Awards in 2019 and the Wine Spectator Award of Excellence for the past 17 years.
Babiche Martens/Stuff
Mark Southon, Chris Upton, Jack Makin in the O Connell St Bistro when it reopened after a fire in 2016 The restaurant has weathered many storms including the power crisis in February 1998 when the eatery was forced to shut down just four months after opening.
Press Release – O’Connell Street Bistro
After 24 years, the famed O’Connell Street Bistro in Auckland’s O’Connell Street is closing its doors for good on Friday April 16, 2021.
Owners and founders Chris Upton and Amanda Mason point to the insecurity of COVID-19 and being unable to successfully renegotiate their lease as the reasons behind the difficult decision to close their doors after more than two decades in business.
The couple say that like many in the hospitality industry, they have had to continue paying fixed costs that occur throughout successive COVID levels.
“With the continuing lock downs and the challenges of operating at Level 2 in the first two months of 2021, and with no clear respite ahead, it is unsustainable to continue,” said Chris Upton.