Latest news with #RamenWeek
Scotsman
a day ago
- Business
- Scotsman
Mikaku: ‘End of an era' as Tokyo-inspired Glasgow restaurant to shut due to National Insurance rise
A 'much-loved' Scottish restaurant that brought a colourful and innovative experience of Japan is set to close in September. Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... A Japanese bar and restaurant in Glasgow will close its doors for the final time next month, citing the 'strangling' National Insurance rise as a key reason. Mikaku, known for its immersive 'slice of Tokyo' experience, colourful interiors and innovative menu, will shut on Sunday, September 14. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The Queen Street restaurant has been a staple of Glasgow's hospitality landscape since it opened in 2018. Over the years, it has built a loyal customer base and welcomed thousands of guests through its doors. The decision to close Mikaku comes as the team behind the venue shifts focus to their next chapter – the launch of Clydeside Containers, a new riverside street food and drink destination opening on Glasgow's waterfront. Restaurant director Nathan Sparling said: 'Closing Mikaku was not an easy decision. It has been a truly special place for both our team and our guests, and we are incredibly proud of what Mikaku has achieved. 'From celebrating Ramen Week with £1 bowls, to launching one of Glasgow's most innovative cocktail menus, to introducing a real Robata Grill to the city for the first time – Mikaku has been about bringing something bold, different and authentic to Queen Street, seven days a week. The memories created here, and the community that has grown around it, will always be a huge source of pride. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad "But like so many venues in Glasgow and across the UK, we've faced the well-documented challenges in hospitality – from rising costs and staffing pressures, to shifts in consumer behaviour. Mikaku 'The recent rise in National Insurance contributions has added even more pressure, strangling independent operators like us at a time when the sector is still recovering. These wider challenges have been a significant factor in the decision to close, allowing us to refocus our efforts and resources on the exciting opportunity ahead at Clydeside Containers.' Mikaku will adjust its opening hours for the final weeks of service. From Wednesday, August 20, the restaurant will open Wednesday to Sunday, before moving to a Thursday to Sunday schedule from August 28 until the final day of service on September 14.
The Herald Scotland
3 days ago
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
Japanese restaurant in Glasgow to close next month
The owners of the venue are set to launch a new venture by the River Clyde, and have announced that Mikaku will close on September 14. Director Nathan Sparling said: 'Closing Mikaku was not an easy decision. Read More: "It has been a truly special place for both our team and our guests, and we are incredibly proud of what Mikaku has achieved. "From celebrating Ramen Week with £1 bowls, to launching one of Glasgow's most innovative cocktail menus, to introducing a real Robata Grill to the city for the first time – Mikaku has been about bringing something bold, different, and authentic to Queen Street, seven days a week. "The memories created here, and the community that has grown around it, will always be a huge source of pride. "But like so many venues in Glasgow and across the UK, we've faced the well-documented challenges in hospitality – from rising costs and staffing pressures, to shifts in consumer behaviour. "The recent rise in National Insurance contributions has added even more pressure, strangling independent operators like us at a time when the sector is still recovering. These wider challenges have been a significant factor in the decision to close, allowing us to refocus our efforts and resources on the exciting opportunity ahead at Clydeside Containers.'
Scottish Sun
3 days ago
- Business
- Scottish Sun
Popular Glasgow city centre restaurant to close in weeks & fans are ‘gutted'
A new time schedule is in place until the restaurant closes NEW CHAPTER Popular Glasgow city centre restaurant to close in weeks & fans are 'gutted' A MUCH-LOVED Glasgow Japanese restaurant will close its doors in weeks due to rising costs. But bosses have promised loyal diners that a new project is launching soon. 3 The restaurant opened in 2018 3 It's built up a loyal fan base Advertisement 3 Bosses are opening a new Clydeside Containers project Mikaku, on the city's Queen Street, is shutting up shop after seven years of serving up a 'slice of Tokyo' in Scotland. Known for its colourful interiors and innovative menu, Mikaku has been a staple of Glasgow's hospitality landscape since it opened in 2018. Over the years, it has built a loyal customer base and welcomed thousands of guests through its doors. Advertisement The decision to close Mikaku comes as the team behind the restaurant shifts focus to their next chapter – the launch of Clydeside Containers, a new riverside street food and drink destination opening on Glasgow's waterfront. Director Nathan Sparling said: "Closing Mikaku was not an easy decision. "It has been a truly special place for both our team and our guests, and we are incredibly proud of what Mikaku has achieved. "From celebrating Ramen Week with £1 bowls, to launching one of Glasgow's most innovative cocktail menus, to introducing a real Robata Grill to the city for the first time – Mikaku has been about bringing something bold, different, and authentic to Queen Street, seven days a week. Advertisement "The memories created here, and the community that has grown around it, will always be a huge source of pride." Nathan said the restaurant has been hit by difficulties, which are partly to blame for the closure. He said: "Like so many venues in Glasgow and across the UK, we've faced the well-documented challenges in hospitality – from rising costs and staffing pressures, to shifts in consumer behaviour. Award-winning UK restaurant chain shuts ALL its sites as it goes bust after nearly a decade in business "The recent rise in National Insurance contributions has added even more pressure, strangling independent operators like us at a time when the sector is still recovering. "These wider challenges have been a significant factor in the decision to close, allowing us to refocus our efforts and resources on the exciting opportunity ahead at Clydeside Containers.' Advertisement Fans are 'gutted' about the news. One said: "Sad to hear.' A second said: "How rubbish." And another commented: "This is so sad to hear. My husband and I will definitely be there for our 11th wedding anniversary meal when we go to Glasgow." Mikaku will close on September 14 and in the meantime will open Wednesday to Sunday, before moving to a Thursday to Sunday schedule from August 28. Advertisement Staff will be offered opportunities to relocate within the wider business
Glasgow Times
3 days ago
- Business
- Glasgow Times
Mikaku in Glasgow city centre to close doors after seven years
Mikaku, a much-loved Japanese bar and restaurant on Queen Street, will shut on September 14, 2025. Known for its immersive 'slice of Tokyo' experience and colourful interiors, Mikaku opened in 2018 and welcomed thousands of guests through its doors. (Image: Image: Newsquest) The decision comes as the team behind Mikaku has decided to shift focus to their next chapter – the launch of Clydeside Containers. The Clydeside Containers will be a new riverside street food and drink destination opening on Glasgow's waterfront. Nathan Sparling, director of Mikaku, said: 'Closing Mikaku was not an easy decision. "It has been a truly special place for both our team and our guests, and we are incredibly proud of what Mikaku has achieved. From celebrating Ramen Week with £1 bowls, to launching one of Glasgow's most innovative cocktail menus, to introducing a real Robata Grill to the city for the first time – Mikaku has been about bringing something bold, different, and authentic to Queen Street, seven days a week. The memories created here, and the community that has grown around it, will always be a huge source of pride. "But like so many venues in Glasgow and across the UK, we've faced the well-documented challenges in hospitality – from rising costs and staffing pressures, to shifts in consumer behaviour. The recent rise in National Insurance contributions has added even more pressure, strangling independent operators like us at a time when the sector is still recovering. These wider challenges have been a significant factor in the decision to close, allowing us to refocus our efforts and resources on the exciting opportunity ahead at Clydeside Containers.' (Image: Image: Newsquest) It comes after Nathan told the Glasgow Times back in April this year, that he only had 30 days to try and save his business as it faces "unsustainable pressures". He said skyrocketing costs, unreliable public transport, city centre parking issues and the Employer National Insurance rise have piled on and are affecting restaurants across the city. Nathan also said that Mikaku had to put prices up in the last year because of rising supplier costs. He said changes like the LEZ has meant suppliers had to change their vehicles in order to be compliant with the cost being passed onto the customer. READ NEXT: Iconic TV quiz trio announce Glasgow show as part of 2026 reunion tour Mikaku will adjust its opening hours for the final weeks of service. From August 20, the restaurant will open Wednesday to Sunday, before moving to a Thursday to Sunday schedule from August 28 until the final day of service on September 14.
The National
3 days ago
- Business
- The National
'End of era' as popular Glasgow restaurant shuts down after 7 years
Mikaku, a much-loved Japanese bar and restaurant on Queen Street, will shut on September 14, 2025. Known for its immersive "slice of Tokyo" experience and colourful interiors, Mikaku opened in 2018 and has since welcomed thousands of guests through its doors. (Image: Image: Newsquest) The decision comes as the team behind Mikaku has decided to shift focus to their next chapter – the launch of Clydeside Containers. The Clydeside Containers will be a new riverside street food and drink destination opening on Glasgow's waterfront. Nathan Sparling, director of Mikaku, said: 'Closing Mikaku was not an easy decision. "It has been a truly special place for both our team and our guests, and we are incredibly proud of what Mikaku has achieved. From celebrating Ramen Week with £1 bowls, to launching one of Glasgow's most innovative cocktail menus, to introducing a real Robata Grill to the city for the first time – Mikaku has been about bringing something bold, different, and authentic to Queen Street, seven days a week. The memories created here, and the community that has grown around it, will always be a huge source of pride. "But like so many venues in Glasgow and across the UK, we've faced the well-documented challenges in hospitality – from rising costs and staffing pressures, to shifts in consumer behaviour. The recent rise in National Insurance contributions has added even more pressure, strangling independent operators like us at a time when the sector is still recovering. These wider challenges have been a significant factor in the decision to close, allowing us to refocus our efforts and resources on the exciting opportunity ahead at Clydeside Containers.' (Image: Image: Newsquest) Mikaku will adjust its opening hours for the final weeks of service. From August 20, the restaurant will open Wednesday to Sunday, before moving to a Thursday to Sunday schedule from August 28 until the final day of service on September 14.
