Owner of Found in Dorchester shares reason for closure

Found, a restaurant/bistro on Trinity Street in Dorchester, has announced it will be closing a few days before Christmas, with several people set to lose their jobs.

In a statement, the owners shared their 'devastation' over the news, calling it the 'hardest, saddest and most stressful decision' they have ever had to make, and blaming rising costs and the current economy.

Found, Trinity Street, Dorchester (Image: NQ)

Catriona Chainey owns the business together with her husband Neal, who was the head chef.

She said: "The cost of everything has gone up, including the staff costs. It is making it very difficult for us.

"There is no support for us as business owners. There is a limit to what we can charge our customers and everyone in the country is tightening their belts.

"It was always going to be quite a big risk."

The business offered bistro-sharing plates with a focus on locally sourced ingredients, foraging and local farmers, growers, and suppliers within Dorset.

Items on its menu include; Lulworth Venison loin, buttermilk pheasant, and herb gnocchi.

(Image: Found)

The restaurant has had the same staff since it opened in July 2023. Four members of staff will lose their jobs when it shuts on December 23.

The couple also own a catering business, from which the restaurant sprang, called Fine & Found. Mrs Chainey says they are unsure if this catering company will continue, and will be making a decision early next year.

"Just thank you to everyone for their continued support over the years, and the staff for being with us and being amazing," added Mrs Chainey.

"Everyone is so appreciative and we have met some amazing people who have supported us as much as they can.

"Our staff are amazing, we are very lucky to have the same staff since we first opened. They all understand and are very emotional about the situation." 

It is the latest in a line of closures of Dorchester restaurants this year.

Sam’s Steakhouse in Trinity Street closed after less than a year of trading.

Drgnfly pan Asian restaurant in Brewery Square announced its sudden closure on August 28. 

Also in Brewery Square, the Merchant House - which took over the former premises of Luciano’s - shut in the summer after four months of trading.

Reacting to the news the chairman of the Dorchester BID, Phil Gordon said: "I am extremely sad to hear that Found have decided that they are going to close their doors, as they had a great product and did a wonderful job of making the place look fantastic.

"You are always going to get shops come and go as consumer demands change."

Despite the closure, Mr Gordon says there are many reasons to be optimistic about the Dorchester's high street, including Antelope Walk-  which is now 'almost like an artisan centre' - and the more than 25 businesses that have opened in Dorchester this year.