"It's been a hell of a ride": Nottingham's World Service restaurant to close after 24 years
Run by Dan Lindsay, who is also co-owner of Bar Iberico, Iberico World Tapas and Mexican restaurant Taquero in the city, the restaurant will close on 3 August, its 24th birthday.
Writing on its website, the restaurant said that it was with ‘great sadness’ that it will be closing and said it had been ‘a hell of a ride’.
“Along with other famous chef patrons who’ve had to close their restaurants, we, who have been welcoming guests for nearly a quarter of a century, have also experienced similar changes in the market. It is no longer easy to provide fine dining at an affordable cost,” it wrote.
“We want to thank all of our amazing customers from the bottom of our hearts. So many of you have supported us from the very start and allowed us to continue this amazing journey. Many of you arrived as guests and have left as friends. Sincerely, thank you.”
“Huge gratitude goes to the wonderful staff that have passed through our doors. The loyalty, dedication and enthusiasm you’ve all shown has been phenomenal. One of the most touching moments has been meeting so many old faces and hearing how much working at World Service left its mark on you, with memories and friendships to last a lifetime. We can assure you that you all have left an indelible mark on World Service as well. On many occasions, it’s been referred to as a family. Never a truer word has been said.
“Keeping at the forefront of the Nottingham restaurant scene for 24 years is no mean feat. We feel incredibly proud and honoured to be seen as a restaurant that helped change the landscape of modern fine dining and considered an institution. There are so many happy moments to remember. Our successes at the Nottingham Restaurant Awards. Entries in all acclaimed eating-out guides; The Michelin Guide & the AA Guide to name a few. NYE parties that will live long in the memory. The marriage of many beautiful couples. It is endless!”
World Service is housed in the surroundings of 17th Century Newdigate House and has a walled garden for al fresco dining.
The restaurant blends modern British cuisine with influences from around the world that has helped it win a number of accolades over the years, including being voted Nottingham’s best restaurant for three successive years from 2002 to 2005 at the Nottingham Restaurant Awards. It holds two AA rosettes for culinary excellence and is also mentioned by the AA as having a notable wine list.