A pizza restaurant which opened its doors 18 months ago has closed its doors.

Bawn, specialising in pizzas, small plates and wines, in the Northumberland village of Ponteland, announced on Sunday (November 24) it had closed with immediate effect.

The restaurant initially opened as Eleven in 2021, and quickly earned praise in the Michelin guide, but closed in March 2023 when to rebrand as Bawn with a new focus on pizza and small plates.

Posting to Instagram owners Danny Land and Stephen Pitfield said in a statement: “It is with the heaviest of hearts that we announce the immediate and permanent closure of Bawn.

Chef Ryan Carr, front-of-house manager Stephen Pitfield, and chef Danny Land.Chef Ryan Carr, front-of-house manager Stephen Pitfield, and chef Danny Land. (Image: Bawn)

“We have had an incredible four years, we have met some of the most amazing people and made memories to last a lifetime, but unfortunately, all good things must come to an end and now is our time.

“The biggest of thank yous, from the bottom of our hearts, to all of our fiercely loyal guests for your support over these years, we have loved every single second of cooking for you.”

Customers were quick to express their sadness at the news.

One said: “I am so sorry to hear this, thank you so much for being the most welcoming team with fantastic food and atmosphere whenever we visited.”

A Bawn pizza/A Bawn pizza/ (Image: Bawn)


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Another diner added: “So sorry to hear this. All the best with your next venture.”

Speaking previously when they rebranded Danny told the Hexham Courant: “The world is a tough place to be a small business right now, and whilst Eleven had so much success, including being entered into the Michelin Guide, a rating of excellent in the Good Food Guide and being nominated at the National Restaurant Awards, we felt a tasting menu in a semi-rural Northumberland village probably wasn’t as viable as we had hoped given we hadn’t envisaged the world being the way it currently is.

"We felt a rebrand was easier and clearer to send the message that this is going to be a completely different restaurant than what Eleven was.”