A Kilmarnock restaurant has reportedly closed citing ‘rising costs’ in the hospitality industry.
It’s understood that Santino’s last day in business was Sunday, February 9.
An automated message sent to customers via online reservation platform OpenTable, and seen by Ayrshire Live, says that the closure was “not the outcome we had hoped”.
The London Road venue said that rising costs attributed to landlord rent, suppliers and day-to-day running costs has meant the business is no longer viable.
The message reads: “Subject: Notice of Closure of Business. Unfortunately, due to rising costs attributed to both landlord rent, suppliers and venue day to day running, meeting the costs for Santino as a viable business has become extremely difficult.
“It is with sincere regret that we inform you that Santino is constrained to close its operation effective immediately on Monday, February 10, 2025.
“Official last trading day being Sunday, February 9, 2025. Deposits – any customers with paid deposits for private functions will be given full refund. Gift cards – are transferrable in full to use at our other venues. “
Santino was owned by the YesToAll hospitality group, which also counts The Cardross Inn, Dumbarton among its portfolio.
The venue opened by the group initially as The Urbanist in April 2021 as the hospitality industry wrestled with lockdown restrictions but was rebranded to Santino last year.
Santino’s Facebook page has been stripped of posts and its website is no longer available. OpenTable says it has no reservations available for the venue.
The statement sent to customers continues: “All refunds will be done via our assigned office team and by phone, not via the venue which has now closed. This is not the outcome we had hoped, and we would like to thank all the staff involved in the running of the venue. For all further enquires please still email – ****** and a member of our office team will respond to you via there as soon as possible. Thank you”
Restaurants have struggled to enjoy any form of longevity at the location with four different operators taking charge in the last decade.
Better known to some as Franklin and Sloane, the Dapper Squirrel or the Little Steakhouse, the hulking London Road property has taken many different forms in the past 10 years; all ultimately ending prematurely.
Santino has been contacted for comment.
Don’t miss the latest Ayrshire headlines –sign up to our free daily newsletter “