A RESTAURAUNT has shut up shop after over 20 years of operations following ‘ongoing issues” with an adjoining asylum seeker hotel.
The Ceno Bar and Restaurant in Portswood in Southampton waved in punters for the final time on New Year’s Day.
According to the restaurant, the shuttering was caused by problems connected to the Highfield House Hotel which houses asylum seekers.
The site attracts anti-immigration protests from locals on a weekly basis.
The business has maintained the decision was not financial, but rather to ensure the safety of its staff.
A spokesperson for the restaurant said: “It is with great sadness that we announce that Ceno Restaurant closed its doors on 1 January 2026.
“Despite every effort to continue trading, it has become frustratingly impossible to operate due to ongoing issues connected with the Highfield Hotel in which we are located, which has now become home to over 100 illegal immigrants.
“The hotel owners have ignored our communication, help to assist with ongoing damage caused by the hotel residents and have locked the car park for many months, meaning our customers have been unable to park and access the restaurant.”
The owner also claimed that they have received inadequate support from local police, council or their local MP, Satvir Kaur.
They continued: “Despite these obstacles, we are incredibly proud of what we built together with our fantastic customers.
“To the local residents of Highfield who continue to live nearby, we wish you the very best and hope that the difficulties we have faced do not impact you and your families in the future.
“Most of all, we would like to extend our sincere thanks to our wonderful customers and those members of the Highfield community and beyond who have supported us right up until New Year’s Eve.
“Your loyalty and kindness have meant more to us than words can say.”
The closure is not intended to be permanent, and the restaurant is aiming to relocate before the summer.
A spokesperson for Hampshire Police said: “Our local neighbourhood policing team have regular contact with businesses in the area, and have made near weekly visits to Cenos in recent months to try and engage with them and understand if there are any issues they want to raise or discuss with us.
“However, no concerns have been raised with our team on these visits.
“We are also not aware of any incidents of criminal damage.”
Asked about what it is doing to mitigate the impact of asylum seeker hotels on local business, a Home Office spokesperson said: “We are furious at the level of illegal migrants and asylum hotels.
“This government will close every asylum hotel.
“Work is well underway, with more suitable sites being brought forward to ease pressure on communities and cut asylum costs.
“We are working closely with local authorities, property partners and across-government so that we can accelerate delivery.”
