A Southampton restaurateur says he has been forced to shut down his business of 20 years, blaming a neighbouring hotel used by the Home Office to house asylum seekers for driving away his clientele.
The End of a 20-Year Culinary Landmark
Jamie Darby, owner of the Ceno bar and restaurant, announced with devastation that the popular dining spot closed its doors on January 1, 2026. He attributes the closure directly to problems arising from the Highfield House Hotel, located directly above his ground-floor premises, which stopped taking paying guests five years ago to accommodate up to 100 asylum seekers.
Darby explained that while the hotel's previous guests were regular customers, the current situation has repelled his loyal patrons. He cited large groups of young men loitering outside as a primary deterrent. "I'm devastated, 20 years of my life have just been thrown away," Darby told the Daily Mail. "I've come out of the end of it absolutely skint. Everything I had personally was sunk into the restaurant."
Allegations of Harassment and Disruption
The businessman claims the environment became untenable for both customers and staff. He alleged that female customers and staff felt intimidated, with groups of men reported to be "leering and whistling" from hotel windows. Darby stated his own 22-year-old daughter was propositioned, describing the behaviour as "disgusting".
Further operational issues were cited, including being locked out of a shared car park for six months and water damage from overflowing sinks in the hotel. Darby also claims his pleas for help to his local MP and police yielded little meaningful support, despite requesting protection for his staff.
The area has seen significant tension, with weekly anti-immigration protests outside the hotel in recent months, frequently met by counter-protests from anti-racism groups, leading to a heavy police presence and further disruption.
Financial Ruin and Community Backlash
The financial impact has been severe. Darby reported that his turnover halved in the last two years, making the business unsustainable. The closure resulted in four full-time staff losing their jobs, along with numerous casual and part-time workers, many of whom were students from the university city.
The restaurant's closure was announced on Facebook, citing it had become "frustratingly impossible to operate" due to the connected issues with the hotel. The statement criticised the hotel owners for ignoring communications for help.
Local reaction online has been one of support for Ceno and disappointment at its demise. Patrons shared memories of the venue, which held a 4.6-star TripAdvisor rating. Some local comments echoed Darby's concerns, alleging abusive behaviour and deliberate nuisance from hotel residents.
In a disturbing related development, Sohail Amiri, a 30-year-old Afghan national housed at the hotel, recently pleaded guilty at Southampton Crown Court to sex offences against three women over a five-day period after arriving illegally. He was remanded in custody for sentencing next month.
Contrasting Narratives and Official Responses
The narrative is contested. The Southampton Stand Up To Racism group asserted that far-right activists, not asylum seekers, were to blame for the restaurant's decline, pointing to the disruptive protests that began last summer.
Hampshire Constabulary stated that while neighbourhood officers made near-weekly visits to Ceno in recent months, no specific concerns or incidents of criminal damage were raised with them during these engagements.
A Home Office spokesperson expressed frustration at the level of asylum hotels, reiterating the government's commitment to closing them and using more suitable sites. They emphasised work was underway with local authorities to accelerate delivery and cut costs.
Despite the closure, there is a glimmer of hope for the Ceno brand, with plans to relocate and reopen in the spring. Darby and his team extended heartfelt thanks to their supportive customers and the local community for their loyalty over two decades.
