Popular Sark restaurant to close after "absolutely rubbish" year

Friday 08 December 2023

A prominent Sark eatery has taken aim at the island's leaders, as it announced it had been forced to close following an "absolutely rubbish year" for tourism.

Time and Tide – which bills itself as a “Sark bistro” – announced the closure on Facebook over the weekend and will begin a sale of its inventory to the public from this afternoon in the restaurant.

"...I'd like to say a huge huge huge thank you to everybody that came and supported us, signed the bar and had a good time within our walls," chef and restaurateur Ben Smith said.

"Numerous reasons" were suggested for the closure – despite those running it having a "brill" time doing so.

Ben also took aim at those in the Sark hierarchy, alleging that they had failed to promote the island in 2023: "Sark tourism has been absolutely rubbish this year and with no real attempt whatsoever by the people in charge to fix it (you're not fit for purpose)."

That was echoed by other residents commenting on social media.

Express has reached out to Chief Pleas – the island's government – for comment.

It was added that the announcement wouldn't have come as a surprise to regular customers.

Pictured: The restaurant in busier times in 2022.

The bistro offered a variety of British classics, local seafood and meat, and roasts – with many commenters praising its freshly baked sourdough bread, coffee, and hospitality.

It shut for the season on 27 October with a final quiz night and buffet, with the plan to reopen in March 2024.