The début restaurant under Mitchells & Butlers’ Browns Bar and Brasserie concept is set to close after more than 50 years of trading in Brighton.
The location will close for the last time on 9 May, after being unable to reach a deal on a new lease extension.
The restaurant opened on Duke Street in 1973 and is set across two units connected at the back but separated at the front by Heals.
When it first opened, the brand was credited as an early pioneer of continental-style brasserie dining.
There are now some 26 venues across the country including in London, Bristol, and Cambridge.
In recent years M&B has looked to re-energise the look and feel of the brand, as it has faced competition from the likes of The Ivy and other upmarket concepts.
In Brighton, The Ivy has two major restaurants under its core and Asia spin-off concepts just across the road from Browns.
In recent years, the business converted a Vintage Inns into a Browns in Beaconsfield, and opened a new location in Ruislip.
A new Browns restaurant opened in the Marriott hotel in Cardiff in February 2023.
In June 2024, it opened on a former Miller & Carter in Wilmslow.
More recently, Browns has opened in Exeter on the site of a former Harvester.
It is also investing £1.5m in Sutton Coldfield on a former Toby Carvery site.
Meanwhile the Harvester restaurant in Bushey Heath is set to close later this year and be turned into a Browns following a £1.7m refurbishment.
M&B CEO Phil Urban has spoken about building a pipeline of locations, conversions and targeting more suburban areas.
Speaking to MCA in 2022, he said: “Browns is a great brand, but we’ve been guilty of doing very little with it over a number of years, and have watched The Ivy and Cote Brasserie come up the rails, so it’s been something that’s been on my radar for a long while.
“The problem for Browns historically has been that it is a city centre business, in prime sites, which are few and far between.”
While the business has had success with its premium food pub Miller & Carter in recent years, Urban said it was reaching its limit in terms of opportunities for expansion, and therefore M&B was keen to find the next string to its bow.
“Browns is the obvious choice because it’s another premium restaurant offer which I think the consumer is looking for and if we can make it work in suburbia, then it could become the next growth story.”
A spokesperson for Browns, said: “It is with a heavy heart that we can confirm Browns in Brighton will close for the final time on Friday May 9, 2025 after 52 glorious years.
“It isn’t something we wanted to happen but unfortunately our lease has expired and despite our best efforts it has not been possible negotiate a new term.
“We’ve had a lot of fun over the years and made a lot of friends. We’ve been there for countless landmark celebrations and we will miss you.
“Brighton has been incredibly important to us. It was the very first Browns to open way back in 1973 and the success of its classic seasonal food and signature cocktails has been replicated at 26 venues across the country.
“Our major focus is redeploying our wonderful team who have all made the business what it is today and we thank you all for all of your dedication and hard work over the years. Our final day will be Friday 9th May 2025 and we would love to see as many of you before then for one last hurrah.”
