Celebrity chef Tom Kitchin has closed one of his Edinburgh restaurants, blaming the decision on “the current economic climate”.

The announcement that Kora in Bruntsfield will shut comes amid warnings of more closures when the higher costs of employing staff come into effect in April.

In a statement posted on Instagram, Mr Kitchin said: “We have made the very tough decision to wrap Kora up at the end of this month.

“Kora by Tom Kitchin has always been a restaurant which we felt really passionate about and we are proud of the great food, service and experiences we have provided to our guests over the past few years.”

Mr Kitchin, 47, who has appeared on on television programmes such as Masterchef, Great British Menu, Saturday Kitchen and The One Show. opened Kora with his wife Michaela in July 2022. The restaurant was described as a showcase of “a selection of reimagined classics drawing on the best of Scotland’s land and sea”.

Today’s statement added: “We have every intention to bring the Kora concept back to Edinburgh one day, but there is no hiding that the current economic climate contribute to this difficult decision. We have no option but to exercise our lease break clause which is now due.”

Mr Kitchin’s flagship restaurant, The Kitchin, and gastropub The Scran & Scallie, remain open for business. He also owns The Bonnie Badger, a restaurant in Gullane, East Lothian.

Help was offered to the hospitality sector when the Scottish Government agreed in its December budget to match the UK government’s business rates relief.

However, rising costs of supplies together with a slowdown in consumer spending continues to hit the sector. A number of venues have been reducing their opening hours, with some remaining closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.

The Lookout restaurant on Calton Hill, Edinburgh, closed at short notice before Christmas, while The Gather, a bistro overlooking the Solway Firth in Dumfries and Galloway, once voted one of the UK’s most romantic restaurants, will become an exclusive-use venue for weddings and events.

In Glasgow Shuck, Carlyle’s Café, Barca Tapas, Brave Bakers and Bar Soba on Merchant Square have announced they are shutting down.