A popular restaurant in Hockley Heath, Solihull, caused significant disappointment among families when it abruptly cancelled its Christmas Day dinner service on December 25, 2023. Hundreds of diners had eagerly anticipated a festive meal at Miller and Carter, only to learn that the establishment had closed due to an unexpected electrical issue.
The restaurant’s highly sought-after Christmas Day meal typically costs £105 per person. Many families had made reservations, looking forward to a lavish steak feast without the hassle of cooking or cleaning up. However, around 1:00 PM on Christmas Day, Miller and Carter announced via social media that they could not open due to problems with their extractor fan system.
In a statement posted on Facebook at 1:20 PM, the restaurant explained the situation: “There is no easy way to say this, but Miller and Carter Hockley Heath has had to close our doors today due to an unexpected electrical issue in our kitchen, meaning that our extractor fan system is not working.” The management team assured patrons that engineers had been contacted but could not resolve the issue in time for service.
Many diners were already on their way to the restaurant when they received the news. One customer, who chose to remain anonymous, expressed their frustration, stating that “hundreds” had already paid in advance and were left without a plan for their Christmas meal.
James Munro, a disappointed diner who had booked a table for himself and twelve relatives, described the situation as a complete “write-off.” He had arranged the gathering after his sister traveled from Devon to celebrate the holiday with family. “We heard the news about half an hour before our booking,” he said. Munro and his brother-in-law walked to the restaurant, only to find that the extraction unit had failed and could not be repaired in time.
Despite the distressing situation, Munro noted that the restaurant offered no solutions or alternatives to the disappointed customers. “They offered no solution and essentially apologised, saying there’s nothing they could do,” he added. Many patrons took to the restaurant’s social media page to express their disappointment, with some suggesting that the restaurant should have provided food for those who had made reservations.
One commenter noted, “Could they have not just given all the food to the booked customers to take home and cook?” Another remarked on the potential waste of food due to the closure. While some diners were sympathetic, stating, “These things happen occasionally,” the overall sentiment was one of frustration at the last-minute cancellation.
As families grappled with the abrupt change in plans, it was clear that the closure had a significant impact on their Christmas celebrations. The Daily Mirror has reached out to Miller and Carter Hockley Heath and its parent company, Mitchells and Butlers, for further comment on this incident.
The cancellation highlights the challenges restaurants face in managing unexpected technical issues, especially during peak holiday seasons. As families reflect on this disappointing experience, it remains to be seen how the restaurant will address the concerns of its patrons in the coming days.
