Brexit effect already hitting diners, says First Dates maitre d’

Fred Sirieix said some prices have started to rise even though Article 50 has not yet been triggered
Positive guy: Fred Sirieix
Channel 4

London's restaurant industry is already feeling the effects of Brexit, the maitre d’ of Channel 4’s First Dates warned today.

Fred Sirieix, who is also general manager of Galvin at Windows, said some prices have started to rise even though Article 50 has not yet been triggered.

“Prices are going to go up; even now wine has already gone up,” he said. “The people who are going to pay are the customers. Also the make-up of our industry in London is 40 to 50 per cent foreigners. Most are not native English speakers and look at the amazing restaurants we have. I think Europeans will still continue to come here to work in the food industry, but it depends how the UK gets out of the EU.”

Prices of imported food are expected to soar by 15 to 20 per cent this winter as the impact of the pound’s post-Referendum fall starts to trickle into shops and restaurants.

But Sirieix, 44, who moved to Britain from France aged 20 and lives in Peckham with his partner and two children, added: “I am a positive guy — no matter what happens I believe London restaurants will make it work.”

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Visit standard.co.uk/restaurants for the latest news and reviews from London’s food scene.

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