Hundreds of families in Hockley Heath, a town in Solihull, faced disappointment this Christmas after the local branch of Miller and Carter abruptly closed on December 25. Diners who had paid over £100 each for a festive steak dinner found themselves without a meal just hours before their reservations.
The renowned restaurant, known for its Christmas Day set menu priced at £105 per person, announced its closure through social media shortly after 1 p.m. on Christmas Day. According to a statement from the management, an unexpected electrical issue with the extractor fan system forced them to shut down operations, impacting numerous pre-booked diners.
A representative from Miller and Carter posted on Facebook, stating, “There is no easy way to say this but Miller and Carter Hockley Heath has had to close our doors today due to an unexpected electrical issue in our kitchen.” While the restaurant had engaged engineers to resolve the situation, they were unable to restore functionality in time for the holiday meal.
Many families, including one led by local resident James Munro, were left scrambling for alternatives after receiving the news. Munro had organized a gathering for 13 family members, including relatives who had traveled from Devon to join the celebration. He expressed frustration at the timing of the announcement, revealing that they only learned about the closure half an hour before their scheduled booking.
“We initially thought they would sort it out, so we decided to walk over at midday,” Munro said. “When we arrived, we were informed of the closure and that the extractor had failed. The ovens couldn’t operate without it, and we were left without any options.”
The lack of communication added to the distress, as Munro noted that they did not receive any phone calls regarding the cancellation. He suggested that the restaurant could have offered food to diners for them to prepare at home, a sentiment echoed by other disappointed patrons on social media.
One customer commented, “Could they have not just given all the food to the booked customers to take home and cook?” while another observed the waste of prepped food due to the closure.
Despite the uproar, some diners expressed understanding of the situation. “These things happen occasionally,” one commenter noted, showing sympathy for the establishment’s predicament.
As families began to assess their options for Christmas dinner, many expressed feelings of loss over what should have been a festive occasion. Some took to social media to share their experiences, illustrating the emotional impact of the last-minute cancellation.
The Daily Mirror has reached out to both Miller and Carter Hockley Heath and its parent company, Mitchells and Butlers, for further comments on the incident. As of now, it remains unclear how the restaurant plans to address the concerns of affected customers in the days to come.
