UPDATE: Ed Sheeran’s bar and diner, Bertie Blossoms, is struggling under a staggering debt of nearly £1.3 million, making it a significant casualty in the ongoing crisis facing British pubs. This urgent financial predicament comes as the restaurant, located in trendy Notting Hill, has yet to turn a profit since its opening in September 2019.
Latest reports reveal that Bertie Blossoms, through its parent company That Dive Bar Portobello, has reported net current liabilities of £1.3 million as of December 2024. This marks a staggering decline of £763,000 since December 2021, underscoring the severe impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on its operations.
The restaurant has reduced its workforce to just five employees, down from ten in 2020, reflecting the ongoing challenges in the hospitality sector. Despite Sheeran’s personal commitment to his staff during the pandemic, including paying their wages out of pocket, the establishment’s financial woes have persisted.
During the pandemic, Bertie Blossoms attempted to attract customers by offering discounts, including 50 percent off white wine for takeaway orders. However, negative reviews have plagued the restaurant, with diners criticizing the quality of its dishes, with several comparing the meals to “second-rate microwave meals.” One disappointed customer remarked that the food was “expensive for what tasted like a second-rate microwave meal.”
The UK pub crisis continues to deepen, with reports indicating that two pubs are closing every day across the nation. In response, Reform UK has proposed a comprehensive plan aimed at revitalizing the struggling hospitality sector. Party leader Nigel Farage announced intentions to lower VAT to 10 percent for the hospitality industry if they secure victory in the upcoming elections, aiming to ease the burden on establishments like Bertie Blossoms.
Additionally, the party plans to eliminate the employer national insurance increase that has been a point of contention for many in the industry. They also proposed a 10 percent reduction in beer duty and a push to abolish business rates for pubs altogether.
As the crisis unfolds, the British Beer and Pub Association warns that the number of pubs has drastically decreased from 69,000 in 1980 to just 46,350 in 2021, and trade bodies report that approximately 1,000 pubs shut down in 2025, equating to five closures per day. Factors contributing to this downturn include rising costs from business rates, duty increases, and new regulations.
The implications of this trend extend beyond just business closures; they signify a loss of community hubs and social spaces that have been integral to British culture for centuries. Lee Anderson, a Reform MP, emphasized this sentiment, stating, “The loss of one pub is a loss to all of us as inheritors of a tradition dating back to Roman rule.”
As the UK government grapples with these challenges, the Chancellor recently announced a £100 million rescue package for landlords, which includes a 15 percent reduction in business rates for the upcoming year. However, many in the industry feel these measures fall short of what is necessary to sustain the hospitality sector.
Bertie Blossoms, named in honor of Sheeran’s wife, Cherry Seaborn, remains a focal point of this crisis. It’s imperative for stakeholders to monitor developments closely as Sheeran’s venture navigates these turbulent waters, reflecting the broader struggles of the UK’s hospitality landscape.
For now, all eyes are on the future of Bertie Blossoms and the ongoing fight for the survival of British pubs as they confront unprecedented challenges in the wake of the pandemic.
