Is beloved Soho institution Balans closing down?

Bad news for Soho’s brunching elite: the future of the beloved all-day café Balans is up in the air after an email allegedly said the group was ‘no longer trading’ and ‘all creditors will be contacted in due course’, the Sun reported.

First opening in Soho in 1987, Balans currently has two sites: Balans No 60 in Soho and Balans in Kensington. At its peak the chain had eight outposts across the capital. 

Balans East in Stratford and Balans No 34 on Old Compton Street have already shut down. Then at the end of May social media users reported that Balans No 60 was closed, and at the beginning of June both Balans No 60 and Balans Kensington appeared as ‘temporarily closed’ on Google. At the time of writing both restaurants are listed on Google as open and are taking online reservations, however the future of the group still appears uncertain. 

The group has been through a number of struggles over the past few years. It put its restaurant estate up for auction in 2020 as it struggled with the Covid pandemic restrictions. It reopened five of its sites that summer after receiving a cash injection, however Balans Shepherds Bush shut down later in 2020 amid further restrictions.

Since opening in the ’80s Balans has become famous for being a welcoming LGBTQ+ hangout. The late-night spot stays open until 4.30am on Fridays and Saturdays, and over the years the Soho institution has been frequented by the likes of Kate Moss, Lady Gaga, Amy Winehouse and Rowan Atkinson. 

Balans was contacted for comment. 

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