Locals devastated after favourite restaurant announces closure (2025)

The restaurant will close after almost five years

Bristol restaurant Dough Heads has announced that is closing in June after their landlords decided to sell the property.

The restaurant, based in Whitehall Road, Easton, announced across its social media accounts and websites the decision to close.

The announcement reads: "Our last trading day will be FRIDAY 6TH JUNE

"It is with sadness that we announce that Dough Heads will close on 6th June.

"Espensen Spirit our landlords and friends, are selling 86 Whitehall Road this year to move into a new space and we have made the difficult decision not to move on to a new premises of our own.

"For the past five years, we've had an amazing time serving up pizza and cocktails to the brilliant people of Easton, St George and beyond. But as is the case with many small businesses at the moment, rising costs and an uncertain financial future for the hospitality industry have applied many pressures over the years.

"We're proud to have survived the lockdowns and the difficult years afterwards and we truly have our customers and incredible staff to thank for this."

Fans were understandably upset at the news, with many sharing their sadness underneath Dough Head's Instagram post.

"Nooo we love you guys, and honestly will miss this so much!" Read one comment.

Another read: "Oh this is so sad. I have so, SO many great memories tied to 86 Whitehall Rd, and my 40th is right up there - you absolutely made it a banger! And if you choose to pizza elsewhere I'll follow! Sending love xx".

Dough Head's landlords, Espensen Spirit, also commented, saying: "When we met you Jen we knew you have [sic] a very special talent, and we are so proud you chose to launch Dough Heads at our site. It's been a joy to eat your amazing pizza, and we wish you every success in the future. xx"

In the announcement, Dough Heads also wrote: "A huge thanks from the whole team to everyone for choosing to dine with us and support an indie restaurant. Sharing our passion for pizza with our wonderful customers has always been the highlight of what we do. We will cherish the memories and relationships we’ve formed together over the last 4-5 years and I am incredibly humbled by the love that we constantly receive about our pizza and our service.

"A huge thanks to our amazing Front of House Manager @tomgutteridge whose support in everything has been an integral part of Dough Head’s success - literally couldn't have done this without you!

"So much gratitude for all the people who have worked at Dough Heads and made it what it is - A special mention to Tyler, our long term Friday superstar and to Damon, Callum, Frank, Ned and Amy.

"A big thanks to Espensen Spirit for providing us a home, first as a pop-up in Bristol Spirit bar and then as a fully fledged restaurant at their site on Whitehall Road. We wish Sam and Phil all the very best in their future ventures.

"The future is uncertain, but we're excited for what's ahead, and we hope to see lots of you coming in to eat Dough Heads before we shut our doors in June!"

Dough Heads was founded in 2021 by Jen Sankey, after previously having worked for some of Bristol's top street-food traders, such as Tsukemono, Murray Mays, and The Little Taquero.