Cheltenham's much-loved Chinese restaurant, The Mayflower, has closed for the second time, around 18 months after reopening following the departure of its original founder.
The iconic restaurant on Clarence Street announced its closure via its Instagram page on Thursday 5 May 2025, thanking its customers and supporters.
Cheltenham-based JM Socials reopened The Mayflower in December 2023, after Cheltenham businessman and philanthropist, Chun Kong – who founded the restaurant which served up Cantonese cuisine for nearly 41 years – decided to close it.
Retaining the name to 'honour the legacy of the Kong family's beloved 40-year operation in Cheltenham', JM Socials described its menu as 'a celebration of China's culinary diversity, offering a blend of traditional dishes, Cantonese specialties and East Asian favourites'.
JM Socials hasn't revealed the reason for the latest closure but has teased that 'a brand-new JM Socials concept' is coming soon.
The Cheltenham-based restaurant empire also runs Gloucestershire Lifestyle Awards Fine Dining Restaurant of the Year 2025, Prithvi; Bao + BBQ on Regent Street; Bhoomi Kitchen on Suffolk Road; Circo Brasserie on Bath Road; For The Saints on Montpellier Walk; Holee Cow on Winchcombe Street; and Jai Ho in Bishops Cleeve, as well as two restaurants in Oxford.
