Say goodbye to Cronuts, Londoners.
Dominique Ansel Bakery, the brand behind hyped-up treats including the cookie shot, the Cronut, and watermelon soft-serve, has announced plans to depart from the UK, closing down its two locations in London – and yes, it’s as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.
The Dominique Ansel Treehouse will not reopen in Covent Garden for the summer season, while Dominique Ansel Bakery, in Belgravia, will close its doors at 7pm on August 31st.
‘London has been so wonderful and so supportive to us,’ said Dominique Ansel. ‘Unfortunately, our licenser has told us that, in the light of the ongoing restrictions caused by the Coronavirus pandemic, they do not think it will be possible to continue operating either location profitably.’
Dominique confirmed to Metro.co.uk that the brand has struggled with a dramatic drop in customers due to lockdown, making it difficult to continue running the stores in London.
‘Our brand operates under a licensing agreement in the UK,’ Dominique told us. ‘Due to Covid-19 restrictions, our licensee felt they were unable to operate the stores as they had previously intended.
‘It is understandable given the pandemic and we’re grateful to have had a chance to do some first class pastries in London.
‘The pandemic has been a world-impacting event. But the hospitality industry, which fundamentally rests on the gathering of people to share and enjoy food and company, is perhaps one of the most affected.’
The Belgravia bakery will remain open for August before shutting up shop, and plans to take part in the Eat Out To Help Out scheme to give customers a decent discount.
To mark its final month, the shop will also be serving up items specially created by Dominique to honour the moment, including The Last Cronut – a milk chocolate and banana cronut filled with milk chocolate and banana ganache and whipped peanut butter ganache, and topped with icing and a banana chip.
The Last Cronut will be available for £5, or you can get it for £2.50 as part of Eat Out To Help Out on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays.
Alongside the final cronut available to try outside of America and Asia will be three items Dominiqe created exclusively for London, that will never be seen again:
- Welsh Rarebit Croissant: Buttery layers, filled with Guinness Worcestershire cheddar béchamel and a bit of whole grain mustard, topped with melted fontina cheese
- Liquid Caramel Peanut Butter Mousse Cake: Made with caramel crémeux, peanut butter mousse, cinnamon and caramelised puffed rice
- After The Rain: Fragrant jasmine mousse, pear and ginger gelée. At the base is a crisp praliné feuilletine base that has a slight kick of salt.
If you don’t fancy any of those, you can also take your pick from the fruit and vegetable patch afternoon tea (prices start from £39, or £29 Monday to Wednesday), that What-a-Melon soft serve we mentioned, and all Dominique Ansel’s signature items, including the DKA, cookies, croissants, and brunch.
Farewell, delicious pastries, fancy desserts, et al.
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