“We would like to thank our customers and patrons in Wales for their wonderful support”   

The Clink Restaurant in Cardiff has announced that it will close its doors after more than ten years of providing fine dining in the Welsh capital.

After it launched in 2012, the restaurant located in a working prison is staffed by inmates and is open to the public.

In a press release, the charity confirmed that they would continue to maintain its presence in Wales despite the closure through supporting graduates of the Clink Restaurant into employment and through its Clink Kitchen scheme.

Commenting on the decision, Yvonne Thomas, the Chief Executive of The Clink Charity said: “It’s a sad day for us – Wales is such an important part of The Clink. Over the last 10 years, we have trained more than 400 serving prisoners and people on probation, helped them to get and keep jobs, and to stop people offending.

She added: “We would like to thank our customers and patrons in Wales for their wonderful support over the last 10 years.  We look forward to continuing our work in Wales training people who have offended in partnership with Her Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service.” 

The charity continues to run Clink Restaurants at HMP Brixton in London, HMP Sutton in Surrey and HMP Styal in Cheshire.

WIDESPREAD CLOSURES

The decision to close The Clink Restaurant follows widespread closures across Britain’s hospitality industry.

Following rising inflation, soaring energy bills, and a cost-of-living crisis, business owners and industry leaders across the sector have called for numerous measures to prevent further closures and protect businesses across the country.