Popular piano bar forced to close due to cost of living crisis
By Charlotte Lillywhite, Local Democracy Reporter
A popular piano bar in one of South London’s oldest markets has been forced to shut as the cost of living spirals.
Bayou Bar announced its closure at Broadway Market in Tooting after the rising costs of “basically everything” made it impossible to survive.
The bar first opened its doors at the market in November 2018 to bring New Orleans to London, serving Louisiana-inspired street food and cocktails.
It also hosted musicians weekly and popular event “Wing Wednesday”, serving 50p wings all night long.
In a statement on Instagram, owner Nick Willoughby said the bar’s “incredible team” had seen it through the pandemic.
But he listed recent increases in energy costs, stock, staff and security among the reasons for the bar’s permanent closure, with “basically everything” going up.
In a statement, Broadway Market Tooting management described the bar’s closure as “very unfortunate” and said daily expenses had “increased drastically” in the UK.
The statement said: “Brexit has created an immense shortage of hospitality staff as well.”
It added: “Please be aware that we at Broadway Market are always keen to support our traders in all instabilities and we will be supporting them in all peaks and valleys.”
Bayou Bar has been contacted for comment.
Broadway Market Tooting (Picture: LDRS)
Everyone at the South London Press thanks you for your continued support.
Former Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick has encouraged everyone in the country who can afford to do so to buy a newspaper, and told the Downing Street press briefing:
“A FREE COUNTRY NEEDS A FREE PRESS, AND THE NEWSPAPERS OF OUR COUNTRY ARE UNDER SIGNIFICANT FINANCIAL PRESSURE”
If you can afford to do so, we would be so grateful if you can make a donation which will allow us to continue to bring stories to you, both in print and online. Or please make cheques payable to “MSI Media Limited” and send by post to South London Press, Unit 112, 160 Bromley Road, Catford, London SE6 2NZ
