Ping Pong dim sum restaurants in the United Kingdom closed all remaining locations in 2025 after about 20 years in business. The final four branches in London shut permanently, ending the chain’s presence on the UK high street.
Ping Pong Restaurant Closures UK 2026 Overview
Ping Pong was a well known dim sum restaurant chain in the United Kingdom. The brand started in London and later expanded to several locations across the city. At its peak, the company operated more than a dozen restaurants and became a popular place for casual Chinese dining.
By 2025 the company confirmed that all of its remaining restaurants had permanently closed. The announcement ended two decades of operations in the UK restaurant market.
The closures became widely reported in hospitality news because Ping Pong was one of the best known dim sum chains in London.
Full List of Ping Pong Restaurants That Closed
When the final shutdown happened, four Ping Pong restaurants were still operating in London. These were the last branches open before the company ceased trading.
Soho
The Soho branch was one of the most recognizable Ping Pong restaurants in London. It was located near Great Marlborough Street and served a large number of tourists and office workers.
This location was also closely linked to the brand’s early years because the company first launched in Soho. Over time the area became one of the main dining districts in the city.
The restaurant closed permanently in 2025 along with all other branches.
Southbank
The Southbank location served customers near the River Thames and was popular with visitors exploring central London.
Many diners visited this branch before or after attending events at nearby cultural venues and theatres. The restaurant offered the same menu of steamed dumplings, buns, rice dishes, and tea.
Like the other locations, the Southbank restaurant closed when the chain ended operations.
Bow Bells House
Bow Bells House was another central London site that operated for many years.
This branch served customers working in nearby office buildings as well as tourists exploring the historic areas near St Paul’s Cathedral.
The location remained open until the final closure announcement.
St Christopher’s Place
The St Christopher’s Place branch was located in a busy shopping district in central London.
This restaurant attracted shoppers, office workers, and visitors looking for a casual dim sum meal.
It was one of the last four Ping Pong locations still operating before the company shut down completely.
Earlier Ping Pong Locations That Closed Before the Final Shutdown
Ping Pong once operated many more restaurants across London. As the company downsized over time, several locations closed earlier before the final four sites remained.
During its peak period the brand had about 13 restaurants in the capital.
Some earlier branches that had closed before the final shutdown included:
- St Katharine Docks
- Canary Wharf
- Covent Garden
- Paddington
- Westfield shopping area locations
These closures happened gradually over several years as the company reduced its number of sites.
By the early 2020s only a small group of restaurants continued operating.
History of Ping Pong Restaurant Chain in the UK
Ping Pong was founded in London by restaurateur Kurt Zdesar in the mid 2000s. The goal was to introduce a modern and casual dim sum dining concept to the UK restaurant market.
Traditional dim sum restaurants were mostly found in Chinatown areas. Ping Pong tried to make the cuisine more accessible to a wider audience.
The restaurant concept focused on small plates of dumplings and Chinese dishes served for sharing.
Customers could order many items such as:
- Steamed dumplings
- Fried dumplings
- Bao buns
- Sticky rice dishes
- Chinese teas and cocktails
The menu included more than 40 types of dim sum at different points in the brand’s history.
This variety helped the restaurant stand out in London’s dining scene.
Rapid Expansion Across London
Ping Pong expanded quickly during its early years.
Within four years of opening, the brand had grown to more than ten restaurants in London.
The company targeted high foot traffic locations such as shopping districts, tourist areas, and office neighborhoods.
The design of each restaurant also followed a modern style with open dining areas and contemporary interiors.
This approach made Ping Pong popular for casual dining, business lunches, and group gatherings.
Financial Challenges Before the Closures
The restaurant industry in the UK faced major financial pressure in recent years. Ping Pong experienced several of these challenges.
One of the most significant problems came from the COVID 19 pandemic. Many restaurants across the country had to close temporarily during lockdowns.
These closures created large financial losses for hospitality companies.
Ping Pong reported losses of about £1.4 million in the financial year ending March 2020.
Losses increased to about £1.86 million in the following year.
Although the business later returned to a small profit in 2022, the long term financial stability of the company remained uncertain.
Debt and operating costs continued to affect the company.
Administration Process in 2022
In 2022 the Ping Pong business went through a pre pack administration process.
This type of restructuring is sometimes used by struggling companies to continue operating while reducing debt.
The process allowed the company to continue trading, but the business still faced ongoing financial pressure in the years that followed.
The administration period also resulted in the closure of several restaurants.
This downsizing reduced the number of locations operating across London.
Rising Operating Costs in the UK Hospitality Sector
Another major factor behind restaurant closures across the UK has been rising operating costs.
Restaurants must pay for rent, wages, energy, and food supplies.
In recent years these costs increased significantly.
Energy prices rose sharply, especially after global supply disruptions.
Food prices also increased due to inflation and supply chain problems.
Staff wages increased as the National Living Wage went up.
Employer taxes and national insurance contributions also increased.
All of these factors created pressure for restaurant businesses across the country.
Ping Pong was not the only chain affected by these conditions.
Many restaurants across the UK have reduced locations or closed entirely.
A similar situation affected independent bakeries as well, including the well known Bennetts Family Bakers Closure, where rising costs and changing market conditions forced the business to close.
Public Reaction to the Ping Pong Closures
The closure of Ping Pong restaurants received strong reactions from customers.
Some diners said the restaurants were a convenient place to enjoy dim sum in central London.
Others expressed disappointment because the brand had operated for nearly two decades.
Many customers shared memories of dining at Ping Pong for casual meals, celebrations, or after work gatherings.
The company also released a message thanking customers, staff members, and suppliers for their support over the years.
The message acknowledged the long history of the brand and the people who helped build it.
Menu and Dining Concept
Ping Pong built its reputation around dim sum dishes.
Dim sum is a style of Chinese cuisine where small plates are served for sharing.
The restaurant menu included a wide range of dumplings and other small dishes.
Some popular menu items included:
- Chicken dumplings
- Vegetable dumplings
- Prawn dumplings
- Char siu pork buns
- Sticky rice parcels
The restaurants also served tea, cocktails, noodles, and rice dishes.
Customers often ordered several small plates and shared them at the table.
This style of dining made Ping Pong suitable for groups and social meals.
Ownership and Management
Ping Pong was originally founded by Kurt Zdesar, an experienced restaurateur.
After the early years, the founder left the company in 2007.
Leadership later passed to other investors and executives.
The business received financial backing from investor Igor Sagiryan, who helped support the brand’s expansion.
In later years the company was managed by a different leadership team that focused on restructuring the business and maintaining remaining locations.
Despite these efforts, the company eventually decided to close all sites.
Controversies Before the Final Closure
Before the shutdown, the brand faced some controversy related to its service charge policy.
At one point the company replaced the standard service charge with a discretionary brand charge of 15 percent.
The charge was introduced partly to support higher wages for staff in response to tipping law changes.
However the policy received criticism from some media outlets and customers.
The company later returned to the traditional service charge model.
Although the issue was resolved, the situation added to the challenges facing the business.
Impact on Employees
The closure of all Ping Pong restaurants affected hundreds of employees.
At one point the company employed more than 250 staff members across its restaurants and central kitchen.
Restaurant closures often lead to job losses for kitchen staff, servers, and management teams.
Many workers in the hospitality sector move to other restaurants or food service companies after closures.
The UK restaurant industry continues to hire workers, but closures can still create sudden employment changes.
Ping Pong’s Role in London Dining Culture
For many years Ping Pong played a visible role in London’s casual dining market.
The brand helped introduce modern dim sum dining to many customers who had not previously visited traditional Chinese restaurants.
Its locations in busy areas made the cuisine accessible to office workers and tourists.
The restaurant chain also helped popularize small plate dining concepts in the UK.
This style of dining later became common in many restaurant concepts.
UK Hospitality Industry Closures
Ping Pong’s shutdown reflects wider trends in the UK restaurant industry.
Many restaurant chains have reduced locations in recent years.
The main reasons include:
- Rising rent and energy costs
- Higher staff wages
- Inflation affecting food prices
- Lower consumer spending during the cost of living crisis
Industry reports show that a large number of hospitality businesses are currently under financial pressure.
These conditions have resulted in closures of several well known brands.
You can read about another recent hospitality shutdown in our detailed report on Mexicali Rose Restaurant Newtown Closing, which explains why the long running restaurant decided to shut its doors.
Timeline of Ping Pong Restaurant Closures
2005
Ping Pong opens its first restaurant in London.
2007
Founder Kurt Zdesar exits the business.
2009
The chain expands to more than ten locations.
2010s
The brand continues operating multiple restaurants across London.
2020
Financial losses occur during the pandemic period.
2022
The company goes through a pre pack administration process.
2023 to 2024
Several locations close as the business downsizes.
2025
The final four restaurants close permanently.
2026
All Ping Pong restaurants remain closed across the United Kingdom.
What Happened to the Ping Pong Brand
After the closure announcement, the Ping Pong brand stopped operating restaurants.
No new locations have opened under the same name since the shutdown.
The company ended its presence in the UK hospitality market after about 20 years of business.
Some restaurant brands later return under new ownership or franchise agreements, but there has been no confirmed reopening of Ping Pong locations.
Summary of Ping Pong Restaurant Closures in the UK
Ping Pong restaurants closed permanently after two decades of operation in London.
The final four locations that shut down were:
- Soho
- Southbank
- Bow Bells House
- St Christopher’s Place
The closures followed years of financial challenges, rising operating costs, and wider economic pressures affecting the hospitality industry.
The shutdown ended the presence of one of the UK’s most recognizable dim sum restaurant chains.
