End of road for restaurant backed
by grand prix star Jenson Button

Victus, in Harrogate, was launched in September last year, with a ceremony attended by the McLaren driver.

Button cut the red ribbon having invested in the business and worked with the manager Samantha Bradbury and her husband Gary on the concept – to provide “good, tasty food in a relaxed atmosphere”.

He said at the time: “It’s something I’ve always been interested in. It’s great to invest with people I know – I think that’s the right way to go into it.”

But the restaurant has now closed its doors, with a sign on 
the door saying it could not continue in these “difficult financial times”.

In the letter to its customers it said: “Through necessity it has been decided that we can no longer keep Victus open for business. We appreciate all our customers’ support during the development of the restaurant.

“However we are unable to sustain its growth during difficult financial times.

“The heartfelt comments given to the team during our last day of opening on Friday August 3 were very kind.

“You have all given us so many happy memories to take with us.”

Many surprised customers took to Twitter to find out what had happened to the restaurant, with one asking Button: “What’s happened to Victus, Jenson? We were just in there last Friday!”

Nobody from Victus was available for comment.*