Owners say the popular bar and charcuterie remains “open for business”
Friends of Ham, the critically-acclaimed charcuterie bar on New Station Street, has been saved from closure after administrators were called in earlier this month.
Ilkley-based property developers, Glentrool Estates Group, swooped in to save the business and dozens of jobs after press picked up on an administration notice posted to official public, The Gazette, on Monday 13 August.
Friends of Ham's owners quickly moved to dispel rumours of a closure, posting this message to Twitter: 'Thanks to everyone for the kind words today. Just to be clear following a bit of misreporting and assumptions in today’s press - we are still trading and open for business and intend to be for many years to come.'
The company's administration comes just five months after the closure of its sister site, Ham & Friends, in Grand Arcade.
Opened next to Leeds station in 2012 by Anthony and Claire Kitching, the continental-style cafe-bar has drawn praise from national food writers including Jay Rayner, leading to the opening of a second branch in Ilkley in 2015.
Fans of the venue have taken to social media to express their relief at the news. Martijn Gilbert said: 'Phew... Pleased to hear that the wonderful @friendsofham will continue', while @kirstyiscooking wrote: 'Thank goodness, I actually cried for you. If you guys go under what hope do the rest of us have. Long may you continue'.
Others though have been less sympathetic, with one commentator posting: 'So Friends of Ham in Leeds have gone bust. Serves them right for charging £5.20 a pint. Robbing b******s.'
