London party and events venue Kensington Roof Gardens, at 99 Kensington Street, has made 85 staff redundant and is to close its doors, with operator Virgin Limited Edition saying in a statement: “In an ever changing London market The Roof Gardens has stood the test of time but in the face of unpredictable market conditions and a challenge to remain profitable, we feel that the time has come for us to close our doors”.
Higher operating costs, including rent and business rates are thought to have put pressure on the operation.
Virgin said that clients who had paid deposits on events would have their money returned.
Sir Richard Branson’s company has run the venue for 37 years. The gardens were laid out in the 1930s.
Venue MD Jon Brown said he believed The Roof Gardens would be taken on by a new operator.
The venue has been a key part of the London nightlife scene for many years and hosted numerous events, parties and weddings in its award-winning Babylon restaurant and garden bar area.
