Leamington Spa restaurant Magic Wingdom to close over rising costs

Restaurant to close after rising costs

A popular Leamington Spa restaurant will close on Saturday, with its co-owner blaming rising costs, government policy and the cost-of-living squeeze.

Magic Wingdom, a chicken wing restaurant that grew from an idea in 2018, became well known in the town for its distinctive branding. The business gained a strong following during the Covid pandemic, when it expanded as a takeaway service.

Now, eight years on, the restaurant is preparing to shut for the final time on Easter Saturday.

Pressure on independents

Co-owner Sam Cornwall-Jones said Leamington had historically had a higher-than-average number of independent businesses, but that a lack of support had changed the high street.

He said the number of independent businesses felt like "half what it used to be", adding that while there were still some left, larger chains were doing well because they could afford higher rents.

Cornwall-Jones said recent increases in employer costs had hit the business hard. From April 2026, the minimum wage for over-21s will rise by 50p to £12.71, while workers aged 18 to 20 will see an 85p rise to £10.85. Employers' National Insurance contributions have also increased, rising to 15% on salaries above £5,000 from 13.8% on salaries above £9,100.

He said the increases in National Insurance and the minimum wage had been "crippling" for hospitality. He also pointed to business rates, which are set to rise over the next three years as Covid-era support is phased out and property values are adjusted.

Falling footfall and higher food costs

Cornwall-Jones said falling footfall had also contributed to the closure, arguing that customers had less money to spend and were going out less often.

He said food prices had changed significantly, citing the war in Ukraine as a factor in oil costs, while also pointing to the risk of avian flu. He said the restaurant used British chicken and had celebrated that, but costs were continuing to rise.

Describing the situation as "a terrible algebra situation", he said the combination of pressures meant the business could no longer continue.

He also argued that VAT, at 20%, was too high for hospitality and put small independent businesses under further strain.

Thanks to customers and hope for a return

As the restaurant prepares for its final days, Cornwall-Jones said there was still some hope the business could return in another form.

He thanked customers for supporting Magic Wingdom over the years, including at WingFests and food festivals, and said the response from Leamington and beyond had been overwhelming.

While the restaurant's doors are closing, he said there was a "slim chance" people might see the business again elsewhere in its "magic little bus."