A CELEBRATED Ayrshire chef has been left devastated after being forced to close his acclaimed restaurant in Glasgow.

Brian Maule, from Stevenston, traded at Chardon D’Or for the last time on Saturday night.

He had operated the venue on the city’s West Regent Street since 2001.

Brian, a former pupil at Auchenharvie Academy, began his cooking career at the Hospitality Inn in Irvine after his home economics teacher secured him a placement there.

He then went on to study in Lyon, France, before working for the Roux brothers at their London restaurant Le Gavroche, where Gordon Ramsay also studied.

A spokesperson for the restaurant said in a statement posted on Facebook: “It is with much sadness that we announce that tonight was our last night of Brian Maule at Chardon D’Or.

“We have tried so hard to fight against the financial burden of the new ‘normal world’ we live in, but it has forced our hand – for now – with immediate effect.

“Surviving through Covid, then spiralling into a cost-of-living crisis, increased home-working, plunging property values, lack of support for the hospitality sector.

“All these damaging factors, plus many more, have weighed heavily on us. We tried so hard to see it through.”

The statement continued: "As you can guess, Brian is completely devastated by this.

"He feels so much gratitude towards his supporters and his dedicated staff, and he feels he has let them down.

"Assurances that he has done nothing of the kind, and that what has occured has been almost completely out of his control, will take time to sink in.

"In time the hope is that Brian, Susan and their loyal team will be able to reflect on these 22 great years for Chardon d'Or - an amazing span in which Brian won eight fine dining awards and delivered a 10-year programme of hands on training to children from Glasgow schools.

"Brian has built a reputation for the delivery of first class food and service in the restaurant and the provosion of the highest quality service in provate dining and recurring events.

"He has a loyal and significent following. Just how and where the value of this might now be captured, time will tell. It is all too raw for these considerations yet.

"His is a talent, though, that should not be lost."