Marco Pierre White
(Picture: MATT WRITTLE)Russian vodka has been banned by Marco Pierre White’s upmarket London steakhouses in a show of support for the people of Ukraine.
On Tuesday the London Steakhouse Company restaurant in the City said it would stop serving Russian Standard vodka to customers “immediately”.
The company, which was set up by the chef in 2008 with beef supplied by the Queen’s butcher Aubrey Allen, had been selling the spirit for £8.50 a shot.
In a statement the company said: “To show our support for the people of Ukraine and those worldwide who oppose the unlawful war, we are putting in place sanctions of our own and will be banning Russian Standard vodka from our product range with immediate effect.
“We hope our customers understand and support our decision.”
It follows a host of other UK bars and hospitality firms cutting ties with Russian products over the war in Ukraine.
Nightcap Group, which runs London Cocktail Club, Barrio Bars and Adventure Bar, has said it will remove vodka and other alcohol products from Russia from its venues..
Sarah Willingham, former Dragon’s Den entrepreneur and founder of Nightcap, said: “It’s hard to sit here in our warm safe homes and do nothing.
“We have donated money, but from a business point of view we wanted to do something, anything, to show our support and so therefore we have removed all Russian vodka and alcohol from our bars across the whole of the Nightcap estate.”
Cocktail group Revolution Bars is also reviewing its supplies of vodka, CEO Rob Pitcher said.
Australian drinks retailer Endeavour has announced a suspension of the sales of Russian-made products.
While in the in the US, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine has instructed the state’s Department of Commerce to suspend sales of Russian Standard vodka.
In comes as Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng urged companies to go above and beyond the sanctions announced by the West over the weekend.
Mr Kwarteng said he wants businesses “isolating Russia, both diplomatically and financially.”
