A well-known Norwich restaurant has formally announced its closure after shutting its doors earlier this week.
The Last restaurant, bar and cafe, in St Georges Street, posted a notice on its windows saying that the restaurant was "currently closed" and that further information would follow on social media.
In a Facebook post this evening (July 12), the restaurant said: "I'm sure you're all too aware that times are very tough for small independent businesses, our margins have been squeezed to breaking point.
"Recently we've seen a sharp rise in the cost of running our restaurant. Numbers have dropped with people's cash being stripped from them in the cost of living crisis - the perfect storm after a tough few years."
However, boss Iain McCarten added they he wanted to focus on "the good times" with all the customers, staff members and suppliers that have worked with the restaurant over the years.
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The news will come as a shock to many, with the restaurant being influential in the city's hospitality scene over the last few decades.
Formerly known as The Last Wine Bar, the restaurant has been at its current home for 33 years.
It was saved from closure in 2019 by a consortium of investors after a previous owner retired and was reopened following the Covid pandemic with chef Mr McCarten in charge.
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His social media post added: "If you do have a booking with us we will have called you already or will do in the coming days. I’ll try to help find you a spot in another local restaurant I’m sure they’d appreciate your custom.
"Likewise with our team we have some amazing talent looking for work, we can help make connections.
"It’s a tough world out there at the moment so please remember to look out for each other, shop local, support each other."
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