A chef with a fig tart at Sardine

FANS of a hit Provençal restaurant near Angel were left devatasted yesterday (Thursday) when its owner announced it would not be reopening after the coronavirus crisis.

Sardine, near City Road, is one of a string of restaurants to confirm closure plans in the last fortnight.

Chef Alex Jackson, in an Instagram message, said: “Sadly, despite government support and an understanding landlord, we are unable to see a path to reopening.

“For our small space, any kind of social distancing would be very difficult to implement and we do not have the resources to trade through the inevitably difficult times ahead.”

He thanked customers for making it a “special place”.