Salon in Brixton Market, the former pop-up that graduated into an influential wine-focused restaurant over the course of a decade, is to close down permanently in the face of challenging trading conditions.

Its founding trio – Nicholas Balfe, Matthew Bushnell and Mark Gurney – went on to open restaurant Levan and the more casual diner Larry’s in Peckham, followed last year by Holm in Somerset.

At Salon, they were among the early pioneers of the new wave of Parisian-style “bistronomie” – informal places offering modern small plates accompanied by natural and low-intervention wines. Salon was also a prime mover in the transformation of Brixton Market from a Mecca for cut-price Caribbean produce into a more aspirational foodie hub.

The trio announced their farewell with heavy hearts, saying: “The market has provided us with a brilliant home, a space to develop our menus and host a whole range of diners — from locals to those further afield. Industry trading conditions continue to be more challenging than ever, unfortunately meaning we have had to make this difficult decision. We want to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has supported us over the years.”