OWNERS of a beloved sandwich shop have revealed the devastating reason they’re closing the store just three months after it opened.
Despite the restaurant’s sister site being incredibly popular, locals spotted “To Let” signs in the new venue’s windows.
Urban Bites in Norwich Lanes has announced a shock closure[/caption]
The popular restaurant had only been open for three months before it shut[/caption]
Owners have shared that the closure is due to a lack of footfall[/caption]
Urban Bites in Norwich has announced its shock closure on March 1, much to the bafflement of residents.
The highly anticipated takeaway venue only opened on December 18 last year and was met with a warm welcome to shoppers in Norwich Lanes.
Unfortunately for owners Mr Scammell Jordy Walters, footfall was simply not high enough, forcing the pair to shut up shop after just three months.
They had invested a whopping £30,000 into the business but after a lack of customers they were left with no other option.
Mr Scammel said: “Unfortunately things didn’t work out like we wanted to, so in the end we had to pull the plug at the site.
“There just wasn’t enough footfall coming through the door to justify staying open any longer.
“We told staff on the last day of trading that we were shutting.”
The venue, opposite Turtle Bay in Swan Lane, served up mouth-watering hog roast sandwiches, artisan coffee, and a range of breakfast foods.
Urban Bites was originally based in North Walsham but the owners decided to open a second restaurant due to its positive reception.
In the short time it was open the takeaway received a five-star rating on Google, albeit by only three reviews.
In an announcement stating its arrival in December, locals appeared enthusiastic about the new venue.
One happy customer shared: “Great food and reasonable value- deffo one to try if in the city.”
Another gushed: “Great food and fabulous inside, the music the the music to the video is pretty chilled to.
“Their sister takeaway in North Walsham is banging.”
A third excited diner queried: “Hog roast sandwiches did you say?”
While the restaurant didn’t last as long as many had hoped, the North Walsham venue is still open for business and selling its iconic baps.
On social media, the remaining store posted: “Bringing a variety of different foods to the town of North Walsham.”
Urban Bites isn’t the only restaurant to have been hit by hard times of late.
Hundreds of venues have been affected by an array of financial burdens in the past few years.
Consumers have also been forced to stop spending as much.
The pandemic, looming tax spikes, and the cost of living crisis have all led to fewer Brits splashing the cash.
Without as much disposable income, fewer customers pour money into hospitality making it difficult to sustain.
It was revealed that six pubs were shut every week last year as they were hit by rising business costs.
What is happening to the hospitality industry?
By Laura McGuire, consumer reporter
MANY Food and drink chains have been struggling in recently as the cost of living has led to fewer people spending on eating out.
Businesses had been struggling to bounce back after the pandemic, only to be hit with soaring energy bills and inflation.
Multiple chains have been affected, resulting in big-name brands like Wetherspoons and Frankie & Benny’s closing branches.
Some chains have not survived, Byron Burger fell into administration last year, with owners saying it would result in the loss of over 200 jobs.
Pizza giant, Papa Johns is shutting down 43 of its stores soon.
Tasty, the owner of Wildwood, said it will shut sites as part of major restructuring plans.
