D&D restaurants have been shutting a few places recently as they restructure, with Avenue and Radici both closing earlier this year. But arguably their highest-profile closure so far is Plateau in Canary Wharf which has just shut the doors.
News of the closure was quietly revealed earlier in the week and the restaurant's website still shows details about Wimbledon screenings, so we can assume this was a surprise decision to many of those working there. The CEO of D&D, David Loewi, said "Covid-19 had a major impact on the corporate market and footfall in the city has fallen, alongside other economic challenges and the unstable labour market we have sadly, after much consideration, decided to cease trading in this restaurant."
Its closure is, however, in stark contrast to much of the rest of Canary Wharf which is going through something of a boom time. Hawksmoor and Dishoom have both opened since the pandemic and have seen stellar business. There are also strong rumours that a Big Mamma restaurant is on the way.
Plateau has been one of Canary Wharf's mainstays ever since it opened in 2003 (it was taken over by D&D in 2006). It was one of the first big, high-end restaurants to open in the area and with its view overlooking Canada Square, it really was the place to be. Back then, there wasn't anywhere near the competition that the restaurant has now, from places like the newly opened M Restaurant. So for a while, it hasn't had quite the high profile in Canary Wharf that is once had - something that must have contributed to the closure.
It remains to be seen what will happen to the restaurant site, though. We'll let you know if we hear anything.
Plateau was at 4th Floor, Canada Square, London E14 5ER.
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