Plans pulled for Idris Elba’s new wine bar due to staff shortages

He may be one of the biggest names in the movie industry with five films out this year, but Idris Elba has had to pull the plug on his plans for a wine bar in the redeveloped Battersea Power Station due to being unable to find enough staff.

Credit: Instagram/ portenoirekx Elba and Farber

Elba, alongside co-founder David Farber (previously Connaught Wine Cellars), opened their Porte Noire bar and shop near St. Pancras Station last year. While the establishment has proven to be a hit, particularly with such star power behind it, the expansion plans have been derailed by an issue that has blighted the UK’s hospitality industry since Brexit and the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Evening Standard was told by Farber that: “In the end we couldn’t get staff. Without staff you can’t run a restaurant.” db has reached out to Porte Noire to ask if the Battersea location might open in the future should staff be found.

The reality for many restaurateurs, in the capital and beyond, is that positions both in the kitchen and front of house are becoming increasingly difficult to fill. Vacancies in the hospitality sector have been rising faster than those in any other industry, with approximately a fifth of front of house and cleaning roles unfilled across the UK.

It does appear that most new venues destined for the redeveloped Battersea Power Station (which is due to officially open on 14 October) are still going ahead. Among them is Inception Group’s Control Room B, which group co-founder Charlie Gilkes has called a “career highlight”. That opening is still going ahead as planned. The site will also be the location for tech giant Apple’s new UK offices.

This article was originally published by the drinks business and has been shared with permission.

Leave your reply

Most Recent Stories

London's hottest restaurant openings: December 2023

Christmas is the time of year to eat, drink and be merry – here are some of the new London spots worth dropping by this festive season.

Tributes paid to Russell Norman

The restaurateur credited with transforming London's dining scene with the opening of Polpo, Spuntino and Brutto, died last week at the age of 57.

Mendoza sweeps up Michelin stars

In the very first edition of the Michelin Guide in Argentina, Mendoza took home four of the six stars in an awards ceremony last week firmly placing the wine region at the top of any gastronome’s bucket list of places to visit.

WLC Eats: The Clove Club, Shoreditch

Douglas Blyde heads to what was once Shoreditch Town Hall to visit The Clove Club. While there, he explores the two Michelin-starred restaurant's "masterful" and "memorable" tasting menu, and raises the question of why chef-patron Isaac McHale hasn't written a book yet.

Norfolk pub owner uses canoe in face of floods

A pub landlord in Surlingham, Norfolk, estimated losses of £80,000 over the last two years due to floods, and has had to employ one unconventional method to transport deliveries and staff to work.

Most Recent Stories

London's hottest restaurant openings: December 2023

Christmas is the time of year to eat, drink and be merry – here are some of the new London spots worth dropping by this festive season.

Tributes paid to Russell Norman

The restaurateur credited with transforming London's dining scene with the opening of Polpo, Spuntino and Brutto, died last week at the age of 57.

Mendoza sweeps up Michelin stars

In the very first edition of the Michelin Guide in Argentina, Mendoza took home four of the six stars in an awards ceremony last week firmly placing the wine region at the top of any gastronome’s bucket list of places to visit.

WLC Eats: The Clove Club, Shoreditch

Douglas Blyde heads to what was once Shoreditch Town Hall to visit The Clove Club. While there, he explores the two Michelin-starred restaurant's "masterful" and "memorable" tasting menu, and raises the question of why chef-patron Isaac McHale hasn't written a book yet.

Norfolk pub owner uses canoe in face of floods

A pub landlord in Surlingham, Norfolk, estimated losses of £80,000 over the last two years due to floods, and has had to employ one unconventional method to transport deliveries and staff to work.