BBC Great British Menu star confirms closure of English city’s ONLY Michelin-starred restaurant with ‘very heavy heart’

A BELOVED Michelin-starred restaurant has confirmed its closure later this month. The restaurant is the only place in its city to hold a star. Michelin-starred restaurant set to close this AugustCredit: Refer to Source Mark Poynton leaves his position as head chef at Caistor HallCredit: Refer to Source Mark Poynton at Caistor Hall is shutting down after the departure of its namesake chef. The BBC Great British Menu star announced that he had stepped down from his position on Tuesday. Sign up for the Money newsletter Thank you! He took to social media to let fans know he had left “with a heavy heart” to focus on his Cambridge restaurant, Ancient Shepherds by Mark Poynton. He wrote: “Thank you to the team headed up by the super talented Byron Franklin who without, the success certainly wouldn’t have come so quick.” It follows the sale of Caistor Hall, a boutique Georgian hotel and wedding venue, to Quadmark Group, which was announced earlier this year. Catering firm Brasted’s sold the hotel, which houses the restaurant to the Singapore-founded group back in April. A post from the Caistor Hall team said: “Due to changes at Caistor Hall after much thought and consideration, we feel it would not be right to continue this journey without him. “The restaurant was built around a shared vision, passion and commitment to delivering something truly special, and we believe this chapter should end in the way it began – together.” Most read in Money The restaurant’s final service will be Saturday, August 22. Gift vouchers have been a staple and diners who hold any should contact the venue to discuss available options. The posh dining spot first opened in August 2020 and quickly rose up the ranks, achieving a Michelin-tar in 2025 and retaining it in 2026. Comment now