Leon, the well-known healthy fast food chain, has closed its Bath outlet on Stall Street as part of a broader restructuring effort. The closure is one of 20 across the country announced earlier this month as Leon seeks to streamline its operations and secure its long-term future.
The Bath restaurant, which opened in 2022, had a brief tenure in a location previously occupied by toy retailer Hawkin’s Bazaar until 2020. Despite its short lifespan, the Leon branch earned favorable reviews, holding a solid 4.1-star rating on Google from 145 customer assessments. Local patrons expressed disappointment at the closure, with many valuing it as an affordable, family-friendly dining choice in the city centre.
Leon was established in 2004 by founders John Vincent, Henry Dimbleby, and Allegra McEvedy. Recently, the company enlisted advisors from Quantuma following the submission of an administration order. The plan includes proposing a company voluntary arrangement (CVA) to reduce losses by closing underperforming locations and reorganizing the business to emerge more financially robust.
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The brand has experienced ownership changes in recent years. After being bought by the Issa brothers’ EG Group in 2021 and subsequently integrated into Asda in 2023, co-founder John Vincent repurchased the company to bring it back to its original vision. He acknowledged the challenges Leon faced under previous management, including shifting commuter behaviors, pandemic-related impacts, tax pressures, and internal difficulties.
Vincent emphasized that Leon’s grocery product line remains unaffected by the restructuring. To support employees impacted by closures, the company plans to facilitate transfers to other Leon sites, offer redundancy packages where necessary, and has partnered with Pret A Manger to provide alternative employment opportunities.
As Leon navigates this critical phase, its commitment to preserving its core values and adapting to evolving market conditions remains at the forefront.