Karen’s Diner in Birmingham is closing as customers left to wait outside in the latest final insult

A dozen customers were left waiting outside Karen’s Diner this lunchtime for a dining experience in the cafeteria known for its abusive staff. But until the location, which launched in Grand Central in September 2022, was set to open at noon, the restaurant remained in the dark with a bolt on the door.

Karen’s has since confirmed that the Birmingham restaurant closed this weekend and that the license has not been renewed. As such, the restaurant will not reopen to the public.

Gemma Demmett brought her daughter Queenie to Birmingham from Cheltenham to experience Karen’s Diner with 10 friends and family to celebrate Queenie’s birthday. Karen’s Diner is still listed as “open” on Google, and the website still shows the restaurant’s opening hours.

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There are no signs on the door announcing the closure and no postings on Karen’s Diner’s social media pages. As a result, Gemma and her family booked train tickets to transport the whole group to Birmingham.

Gemma said: “It’s Queenie’s 10th birthday and she’s been looking after it for months so we thought we’d come along as a treat in the Cheltenham holidays. We couldn’t get through when we tried to book a table so we thought. we came and risk not getting a table. I didn’t know it wouldn’t be open.

Gemma’s friend added: “It cost me £65 on the train to come here today.”

Some customers took to the web to share their disappointment after their bookings were cancelled. Kim Theaker wrote on Google Reviews: “I had a reservation for May 25th when I arrived the restaurant was closed and it was dark. Our friend who had booked the restaurant had received an email the day before saying he was looking forward to seeing it. US

“There was no sign on the door explaining why it wasn’t open, we had no phone call or email explaining why or even explaining that the restaurant would be closed.”

Gemma Roome said: “I booked and paid a deposit WEEKS before my daughter’s 13th! For the restaurant to cancel not even 24 hours before leaving. Be very careful when booking.”

Paul Levin, UK and European operations at Karen’s Diner confirmed to BirminghamLive today that the restaurant will not be reopening. He said: “We had a license for Birmingham but at this stage it has not been renewed.

“Everyone who booked has been contacted. We are handling refunds and have no plans to reopen in Birmingham.”