A Southampton restaurant has closed after more than two decades due to “ongoing issues” with the adjoining asylum seeker hotel.

The Ceno Bar and Restaurant on Highfield Lane, Portswood, has announced that it closed its doors permanently on New Year’s Day.

The restaurant blames its closure on issues connected to the Highfield House Hotel, which the Home Office uses to house asylum seekers and is the site of weekly anti-immigration protests.

The restaurant says that this is not a financial decision, but instead meant to ensure the well-being and safety of its staff and patrons.

A spokesperson for the restaurant said: “It is with great sadness that we announce that Ceno Restaurant closed its doors on 1 January 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.

“The hotel owners have ignored our communication, 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.”

The spokesperson says there has not been any meaningful support from the police, the city council or MP Satvir Kaur.

They add that the restaurant was successful for many years, but claim the last five years have been especially challenging, as the hotel stopped serving the public.

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The anti-immigration protesters in Ceno in August last year (Image: Cristiano Magaglio)

“Despite these obstacles, we are incredibly proud of what we built together with our fantastic customers”, added the 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.

The Home Office have been approached for comment.

A spokesperson for Hampshire Police said: “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.”