A preferred award-winning bar closes after warning the hospitality sector was being ‘taxed out’.
Award-winning Southampton cocktail bar Rita’s has entered liquidation (Picture: Getty)
An award-winning cocktail bar that made headlines after becoming a member of a marketing campaign to ban Labour MPs from its premises has collapsed into liquidation. Rita’s Cocktail Bar, a well-liked venue on Oxford Avenue in Southampton, has entered a Collectors’ Voluntary Liquidation, in keeping with a discover revealed in The London Gazette.
The enterprise, which traded as Rita’s and described itself as an “Artwork Deco craft cocktail bar and restaurant”, was primarily based at 48-49 Oxford Avenue and had constructed a powerful popularity within the metropolis’s hospitality scene.
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Rita’s proprietor beforehand warned that rising prices have been placing growing stress on companies (Picture: Google Maps)
The venue’s web site highlights a string of accolades, together with a number of Muddy Stilettos Awards between 2023 and 2025, a Muddy Stilettos Awards finalist recognition in 2026, and OpenTable Diners’ Alternative awards.
Nonetheless, official data present liquidators have been appointed on Could 26, 2026.
The corporate, Rita’s Cocktail Bar Restricted, entered liquidation by a call made by each members and collectors. Joint liquidators Nicola Meadows and Mark Newton of AABRS Restricted have been appointed to supervise the method.
The collapse comes lower than six months after proprietor Richard Sargent publicly backed a marketing campaign barring Labour MPs from hospitality venues in protest at rising enterprise prices.
Talking to the Every day Echo in December 2025, Mr Sargent mentioned: “Labour MPs should not welcome right here.”
He argued that hospitality companies have been being squeezed by rising prices and taxes, saying: “Payments have gone up throughout the board, from power to alcohol. The place we used to see one value enhance a yr, we’re now seeing three or 4.”
He additionally claimed clients have been spending much less as family budgets got here beneath stress.
“Clients are popping out much less, spending much less, and making drinks last more. You’ll be able to see the decline in spends per buyer, whereas prices simply hold rising,” he mentioned.
Mr Sargent mentioned will increase in VAT, enterprise charges, Nationwide Insurance coverage contributions and native levies had severely affected revenue margins. “It appears like we’re getting tax, tax, tax, tax, however getting nothing again,” he added.
On the time, he revealed he and his spouse had been compelled to cowl extra shifts themselves and cut back staffing ranges in an effort to maintain the enterprise afloat.
Rita’s joined a wider marketing campaign launched by hospitality operators against the Authorities’s financial insurance policies. Companies taking part displayed indicators stating “No Labour MPs Allowed” alongside the slogan “#TAXEDout”.
The marketing campaign attracted nationwide consideration and sparked debate concerning the challenges dealing with pubs, bars and eating places.
Responding on the time, Southampton Itchen MP Darren Paffey mentioned native companies had usually remained welcoming and constructive throughout discussions concerning the sector’s difficulties.
“I do know that issues are robust for a lot of native merchants,” he mentioned, including that he had urged ministers to think about focused help for hospitality companies.
It’s not but clear whether or not the Oxford Avenue venue will stay open beneath new possession or stop buying and selling completely.
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