Rick Stein plans first central London restaurant after sales boom

Seafood legend Rick Stein is planning to open his first central London restaurant next year as part of a wider expansion.

Stein’s hospitality group has seen an uptick in fortunes in the past 12 months, having suffered during the pandemic.

The business posted a £1m loss in 2022 but returned to profit in 2023, with bumper sales across its ten restaurants.

Managing director Ian Fitzgerald told trade magazine The Caterer: “Having reorganised our finances and driven efficiencies throughout the business we are now exploring expansion opportunities.”

Stein’s hospitality empire includes six restaurants in Cornwall, three in the Southwest, and one in Barnes, Richmond-on-Thames.

Expansion plans come as the business looks ahead to its 50th anniversary. Rick and Jill Stein founded the Seafood Restaurant on Padstow Harbour in 1975.

Son Charlie, shareholder executive director across the business, said: “Our focus in the next few months is on maximising the opportunities to celebrate the 50th year anniversary of the business in 2025.

“It is also the perfect time to evolve our restaurant concepts to appeal to a wider audience and we are actively looking to open our first site in central London.”

At present, there are no further details known, including the name or its concept, though it’s anticipated it will be a seafood restaurant, as per the rest of the Stein operation.

The restaurant group is one of the largest private sector employers in Cornwall, with upwards of 650 staff across the region.

Rick Stein Barnes, Tideway Yard, 125 Mortlake High Street, SW14 8SW, rickstein.com