“WE CAN’T GO ON LIKE THIS” A restaurant has shut its doors after 20 years, blaming the arrival of “100 𝔦𝔩𝔩𝔢𝔤𝔞𝔩 𝔦𝔪𝔪𝔦𝔤𝔯𝔞𝔫𝔱𝔰” housed in a hotel next door. Owners say trade collapsed, staff were scared, and the atmosphere changed overnight — leaving them with no choice but to close. Is this the real reason… or is there more behind the sudden shutdown?

A restaurant has claimed it has been forced to close down after 20 years of operation due to ‘ongoing issues’ with an asylum seeker hotel next door.

Managers of Ceno Bar and Restaurant in Southampton, Hampshire, said illegal migrants have damaged the business and made it almost ‘impossible to operate’.

They claim the car park has been locked for months and that the hotel owners have repeatedly ignored their pleas for help.

Ceno restaurant shares a building with Highfield House Hotel, which the Home Office uses to house up to 100 asylum seekers.

The hotel has been the site of weekly anti-immigration protests in recent months – with speeches often given from the wall outside the restaurant.

The demonstrations are regularly met with counter protests from anti-racism groups and there is often a heavy police presence at the scene.

A spokesperson for the eatery, which specialises in British food, said: ‘It is with great sadness that we announce that Ceno Restaurant closed its doors on January 1, 2026.

‘Despite every effort to continue trading, it has become frustratingly impossible to operate due to ongoing issues connected with the Highfield Hotel in which we are located, which has now become home to over 100 illegal immigrants.

Managers of Ceno Bar and Restaurant in Southampton said illegal migrants have damaged the business and made it almost ‘impossible to operate’

Local residents hold an anti-immigration protest outside Highfield House Hotel in Portswood, Southampton

Pictured: Highfield House Hotel in Southampton that houses up to 100 asylum seekers

‘The hotel owners have ignored our communication for help to assist with ongoing damage caused by the hotel residents and have locked the car park for many months, meaning our customers have been unable to park and access the restaurant.’

Managers said the challenges began when the hotel stopped serving the public – and claim they have not received any meaningful support from the police or the city council.

The popular restaurant has been successful for over 20 years and was rated 4.6 stars on TripAdvisor.

Locals online have shown their support for Ceno and shared their disappointment at the news of its closure.

Curt Wright said: ‘Thank you for the exceptional service and some of the nights I have spent in the place, without a doubt one of the best atmospheres and nicest places to have a drink and chill out.’

Another frequenter Kayleigh Hilton, said: ‘We are absolutely devastated, so many of our most precious memories have been at this Ceno site.

‘However, we’ll continue to be behind the team & look forward to your next venture!’

Debbie Kennett added: ‘Cenos has leased the restaurant for 20 years. That’s 20 years of memories who celebrated there.

The demonstrations are regularly met with counter protests from anti-racism groups and there is often a heavy police presence at the scene

Pictured: Ceno Restaurant was part of the Highfield House Hotel building in Southampton

Pictured: A legal notice is displayed in the window of the Ceno Restaurant in Southampton

Rival protesters clash as anti-immigration march comes face to face with counter demonstration

‘The business started to fall away when the immigrants moved in. I saw some of the abuse that the immigrants would shout down from their windows above.

‘The guy who’s restaurant it was, did his best to stay open. Did his best to try and not let the hotel drag down Cenos.

‘The immigrants burnt holes in his awning when it was bought new. They would play awful music and turn it up on full volume just to be annoying.’

Ceno restaurant claims the last five years have been especially challenging, as the hotel stopped serving the public.

‘Despite these obstacles, we are incredibly proud of what we built together with our fantastic customers’, added the Ceno spokesperson.

‘To the local residents of Highfield who continue to live nearby, we wish you the very best and hope that the difficulties we have faced do not impact you and your families in the future.

‘Most of all, we would like to extend our sincere thanks to our wonderful customers and those members of the Highfield community and beyond who have supported us right up until New Year’s Eve.

‘Your loyalty and kindness have meant more to us than words can say.’

There are plans to relocate the restaurant and reopen in the spring.

Pictured: Anti-immigration protesters and Stand Up To Racism campaigners are seen outside the Highfield House Hotel

A Home Office spokesperson said: ‘We are furious at the level of illegal migrants and asylum hotels.

‘This government will close every asylum hotel. Work is well underway, with more suitable sites being brought forward to ease pressure on communities and cut asylum costs.

‘We are working closely with local authorities, property partners and across-government so that we can accelerate delivery.’

Southampton Stand Up To Racism group – which clashes with anti-immigration protests outside the hotel – said far-right activists were to blame.

A spokesperson said: ‘Attempts to blame asylum seekers or the hotel for the bar’s closure are misplaced and unfair.

‘Ceno Bar traded successfully for years alongside the hotel. Its decline followed the start of sustained far-right activity last summer.’

They added: ‘Over recent months, their repeated demonstrations outside the hotel – often two or three times a week and lasting for hours – have caused serious disruption.’

A spokesperson for Hampshire Constabulary added: ‘Our local neighbourhood policing team have regular contact with businesses in the area, and have made near weekly visits to Cenos in recent months to try and engage with them and understand if there are any issues they want to raise or discuss with us.

‘However, no concerns have been raised with our team on these visits.

‘We are also not aware of any incidents of criminal damage.’