Affinity (Shipping) founder and shipbroker Richard Fulford-Smith is exiting the restaurant and bar business after eight years, blaming inflation, spiralling business rates and the impact of the Brexit vote for a slowdown in trade.

Three restaurants and bars in London — Dickie Fitz, The Lady Ottoline and Princess Victoria — owned and run by Fulford-Smith, Anna his wife and their associates under the Affinity Group name were abruptly shut down on 30 June and put into liquidation.