A new gastropub has opened in a former High Street bar’s unit after locals were shocked by its sudden closure.
Thekaa Gastropub, in the former Bar Bodega and Marcel’s Bar unit in The Parade, had a soft opening on June 30 before its first full week from July 5.
It replaces Marcel’s Watford, which closed under uncertain circumstances earlier this year after opening in November 2021.
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Customers reported arriving at Marcel’s expecting to enjoy a night out only to discover it had completely shut, despite there still being no announcement from the company.
Watford BID acknowledged the closure was shrouded in “mystery”, but said the swift arrival of Thekaa “shows there’s still demand for businesses to open in Watford town centre”.
Thekaa's owners previously ran a fine-dining restaurant in Mayfair before Covid and recently leased out their Pinner location to take advantage of the larger site in Watford.
It gives them a chance to offer a new “relaxed” Indian dining concept, they said.
Bar Bodega, which had operated in the unit before Marcel’s, reported being “ravaged” by Covid restrictions and was forced to close in 2021.
Former customers have spoken fondly of the venue, according to the Thekaa's owners, and a good number have been turning up despite there being minimal advertising.
“People have been very, very welcoming,” they said. “Our concept is an Indian gastropub rather than a curry house and people are really appreciating the good Indian food and casual concept.”
They told the Watford Observer “food is the specialty” and that customers can expect Indian street-food pub nibbles as well as larger meals.
Marcel’s was contacted to find out why it shut so suddenly, but it has not provided a comment beyond confirming the closure.
During the time it was open, Marcel’s performed poorly in food hygiene inspections by the Food Standards Agency. A 1/5 report in 2022 resulted in six legal requirements being issued before a 2/5 was given after the most recent inspection in March, this year.
Just a month after it opened a man was also allegedly struck in the face with a glass during a fight at the bar.
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