The decision follows the landlords’ move to take back the property and operate the space under a different brand.
Sisters Kate Latham and Kelly Gamble, who founded Pairings a decade ago, said the closure is not the result of performance issues or financial difficulty, but the unavoidable outcome of losing their current premises.
The pair had been preparing to relocate to a nearby site; however, following extensive planning challenges and significant unforeseen costs, the move became unviable. They are now exploring future opportunities in York and the surrounding area.
“Our hand has been forced,” said Latham. “We’ve fought hard because our people matter – our team, our guests and our community. We explored every possible option to remain in the city centre, driven by our commitment to protect meaningful careers and the warm, welcoming experience Pairings is known for. Unfortunately, there is no viable route that allows us to continue trading at this time.”
Gamble added: “We want to be absolutely clear – this is not the end of our story. Pairings has always been driven by passion: a genuine love for hospitality, for our team, and for every guest who walks through our doors. We are immensely proud of what we’ve built and deeply grateful for the loyalty, kindness and support our guests continue to show us.”
The pair are encouraging guests to visit and redeem vouchers while the venue remains open. All existing bookings after the closure date will be cancelled, with guests contacted directly with further information.
Latham and Gamble said protecting the Pairings reputation remains a priority.
“We’re incredibly proud of what Pairings stands for – genuine warmth, deep knowledge, generosity and an unwavering commitment to looking after people,” said Latham. “We want customers to understand that this change reflects circumstances beyond our control, not the performance of the business. While we may be stepping away from Castlegate, we are not stepping away from what makes Pairings special. This is the close of one chapter, not the end of the story.”
The Pairings team will remain employed, with job security a key priority throughout the transition.