Café Britaly, the hybrid British caff/Italian comfort food restaurant that opened to critical acclaim in Packham last year, has closed down after just eight months.
Co-owners Richard Crampton-Platt (left in picture) and Alex Purdie (right) say they were unable to build enough momentum to generate sustainable revenue in the face of “challenging trading conditions, which were compounded by the autumn budget”.
The launch attracted a rave review from Jimi Famurewa in the Evening Standard and won praise in the new 2025 Harden’s guide for “delicious Italian/British food, great cocktails and lovely service” – but as Alex pointed out in an interview with Harden’s, local support was more important.
While not ruling out a comeback for the Café Britaly brand, Richard says: “We’re not going to pretend that this is a ‘relocation’ or a ‘pause’; we have very sadly but pragmatically decided to close Café Britaly. We knew that trading conditions for hospitality were tough, and went into business with our eyes open to the risk of trying to create our own ‘Britalian’ niche, but the unforeseen additional cost pressures created by the autumn budget came at the wrong stage of our business cycle. We just couldn’t make the numbers add up to continue trading into 2025.”
The pair add: “We’re sad to say arrivederci but we have loved our eight months in Peckham. Café Britaly drew a wonderful crowd, eager to try – and in some cases, determined, but failing, to hate – our Britalian food. We’ve made some great friends, both regular customers and in the local business community, and we’d like to thank everyone who’s been part of the Café Britaly story. Our passion for hospitality remains undimmed.”
Café Britaly was a debut venture as owners for both Richard and Alex, who met while working at Bocca di Lupo. Chef Alex was also part of the brigade at Bouchon Racine.
AND ARRIVEDERCI ALSO TO SANTINI…
From a rather posher postcode, news comes that the 40-year old Santini – haunt in the day of Frank Sinatra – has closed its doors for the last time.
