Wiltshire restaurant's Bristol branch closes in insolvency

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 13 Oct, 06:03 · Archive

Chippenham-based restaurant Coq has ceased trading at its Bristol location following significant financial difficulties.

Coq, a Chippenham-based restaurant run by brothers Ollie and Will Ford, has confirmed that its Bristol branch has ceased trading following significant financial difficulties. The Bristol location opened in late 2025 but has now closed, with insolvency proceedings underway. The Chippenham branch, which opened in February 2021 after the brothers converted their food-truck business into a restaurant, continues to operate normally.

Company director Will Ford told local outlets that increasing operating costs and challenging trading conditions made the Bristol restaurant financially unviable. He noted that the Bristol branch operated under a different limited company from the Chippenham site. Ford also clarified that the Bristol branch operated under separate legal structures, meaning the closure does not affect the main Wiltshire location.

Social media posts have alleged that the company closed without informing staff and failed to pay wages. However, Ford said the company was disappointed by these allegations, which he described as inaccurate. He confirmed that formal insolvency procedures will allow employees to claim their wages back through the proper legal process.

How it is being reported

• Popular restaurant issues statement as second branch closes in insolvencyThe owners of an award-winning restaurant in Wiltshire have issued a statement on circumstances surrounding the closure of one of its partner restaurants.Wiltshire Times · 13 Oct, 05:00
• Popular restaurant issues statement as second branch closes in insolvencyThe owners of an award-winning restaurant in Wiltshire have issued a statement on circumstances surrounding the closure of one of its partner restaurants.Gazette & Herald · 13 Oct, 05:00

In this story: Coq · Will Ford · Ollie Ford · Chippenham · Bristol

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