Barletta in Margate will close after falling victim to £50,000 fraud

The Margate restaurant Barletta will close after the business fell victim to fraudulent activity that saw it lose £50,000.

A crowdfund for Barletta, a popular modern European restaurant currently housed at the Turner Contemporary gallery on the seafront, was set up in mid-November after its owners were unable to recoup the money. Sadly, it appears too little money was raised.

Natalia Ribbe and Jackson Berg said they had sent ‘numerous pleas’ to the bank after losing £50,000 to a fraudster, but reports have said it is looking ‘increasingly unlikely’ the money will be returned.

On Wednesday, Ribbe and Berg wrote on Instagram to say Barletta would close on 9 December and added the cost-of-living crisis and rising energy bills are also to blame.

‘We are deeply saddened to share the news that Barletta will be closing its doors,’ said the statement.

‘The impact of fraudulent activity on our bank account, compounded by the increase in energy bills and cost of living crisis has made it impossible for us to carry on. This was not the outcome we were hoping for, but it is the one we must make.’

Ribbe and Berg said they will ‘cook all the hits’ on 9 December to serve a final dinner to say farewell.

The pair, who are well-known in the industry, with Ribbe having co-founded Ladies of Restaurants, and Berg having cooked at the likes of Quality Chop House and St. John, added Barletta ‘has given us such an adventure’.

The restaurant was founded in Margate in 2019 and went on to pop-up across the town before opening at Turner Contemporary last year.

Ribbe and Berg said: ‘We hope you will come and celebrate these last few years of Barletta. We cannot thank enough our loyal guests, Turner Contemporary, our incredible team over the years – you know who you are and we would be nothing without you, and as always, the town of Margate for making us feel so loved.

‘Lastly, to everyone who donated to help keep us afloat, a refund can be requested at any time. Any remaining funds will be donated to Hospitality Action, who supports hospitality businesses facing challenging times.’

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