Lebaneat closes Yarm restaurant after almost six years

Lebaneat, which has been serving up authentic Lebanese cuisine on the High Street since 2019, has announced it has closed its offering in the town for good. 

Bosses behind the firm, which currently operates two sites in Durham and one in York, said both pricing and market conditions were the reason behind the sudden closure. 

A spokesperson told The Northern Echo that the business has decided to place more focus on its main branches. 

Lebaneat currently operates an ‘As You Go’ location at York Railway Station, a restaurant on North Bailey in Durham city centre and an ‘Express’ on Young Street, also in Durham.

A spokesperson said: “We have now moved to Durham and closed Yarm for good.

“We are just trying to have more control, with the market and prices, so we decided to focus on the main branches.

“If anyone wants to go to Lebaneat, we still have two sites in Durham and one in York.”

The Yarm restaurant served its final meals on Friday evening. 

Lebaneat in Yarm (Image: GOOGLE)

Described as offering a taste of the Middle East, the venue, located in the former Lloyds Bank, was praised for its “absolutely delicious” food and popular shawarma chicken dish. 

One customer said: “You enter the restaurant and a friendly staff member attends to you. The food is a super treat to the taste buds.

“This place has a wonderful sit in/out and takeaway as well. I will highly recommend this place to those who want to try authentic Lebanese food.”

Read More:

However, as previously reported, Lebaneat hit the headlines last year after it was found to be employing an illegal worker – the second time in five years.

The restaurant lost its licence after an immigration officer visit last March, where they suspected three people of working illegally at the restaurant. 

Lebaneat was fined £45,000 this month in a civil penalty for employing an illegal worker and its license was left hanging in the balance once more.