"Today, we need to admit defeat.”
The Curlew restaurant in Bodiam, East Sussex has closed its doors citing an increase in food costs and a rise in energy bills.
The restaurant ran by chef Will Devlin announced the news in a statement across its social media channels.
The statement on Facebook read: "It is with great sadness and a heavy heart that we need to share the news that we will be closing The Curlew with immediate effect, having fought so hard over the two years, every week and every month, to make ends meet and keep the business running. Today, we need to admit defeat.”
Commenting on the situation nationally the statement continued: “A business born just a few weeks before the COVID-19 pandemic was always going to have a tough time, but with a huge increase in food costs, an electricity bill rising by 200% and a large decline in bookings we are left with no choice.”
The
statement added: “Our family business is run without any big backers of investment; things are always tight, and we used to that. After plugging so often with our own personal savings, unfortunately, we have simply run out of money."
Will opened the family-run The Curlew in early 2020 before it was quickly recommended in the Michelin Guide Great Britain and Ireland 2022.
The Curlew is the latest numerous closures being announced ahead of the winter.
The restaurant thanked customers adding that: "Small business are struggling everywhere, as I know families are too. Please be kind, support your local pub, restaurant, farm shop, butcher, fishmonger whatever it may be. They need you and a little help from a lot of people goes a long way."
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"Today, we need to admit defeat.”
