The owners of a popular Weymouth restaurant say they have been left with 'no alternative' but to close after soaring costs and government policies made the business unsustainable.
Aon Thai Kitchen in Maiden Street will serve its final customers on October 17 before closing permanently the following day.
Speaking to the Dorset Echo, co-owner Simon Britten described the decision as one of the hardest he and his business partner Aon Gratton have ever had to make.
The couple opened the restaurant on December 29, 2023, transforming what had previously been Brunches Cafe into a Thai restaurant, built largely through their own hard work.
"It was an empty white building when we got it," Simon said.
"It was exciting but in the back of my mind I was always wondering whether it was going to work."
Despite those concerns, the restaurant quickly became a success.
"It hit the ground running from the day we opened," he said.
"We had our first five-star review within two hours of opening. A family came in and, within an hour of leaving, had posted a five-star review.
"It got off to a really good start and it was very successful."
The praise from customers, he said, made the long hours and sacrifices worthwhile.
"People had great things to say about it and that meant the world to us because, as a small business, with all the effort we put into it, having people enjoy it vindicated everything we'd done."
The restaurant went on to earn dozens of glowing reviews, with diners regularly praising both the food and the warm welcome they received.
However, Simon said the financial picture began to change during 2024.
He claims customer confidence fell following announcements by the Labour government and said the restaurant's takings dropped before some of the measures had even come into force.
"After the first budget announcement we saw our takings drop markedly before the budget even took effect," he said.
Simon believes increasing employment costs, National Insurance changes and rising operating expenses have placed huge pressure on small hospitality businesses.
"We've spent a lot of time looking at our options and there really is no alternative.
"This isn't a decision we've come to lightly. We've investigated lots of possibilities, but there really isn't any other viable direction to go in."
The closure announcement prompted an outpouring of support online, with customers describing the decision as "really sad" and saying the restaurant would be "very much missed."
For Simon, the reaction has been both moving and emotional.
"The support we've had from customers has been incredible," he said.
"That makes this even harder because the restaurant wasn't failing in terms of what we were offering. People loved the food and loved coming here."
He said the experience reflects wider challenges facing independent restaurants across the country.
"I think a lot of people see a busy restaurant and assume everything is fine, but they don't see what's happening behind the scenes.
"The margins are incredibly tight and costs keep increasing."
As the final weeks approach, Simon said the couple are concentrating on giving customers a proper farewell and thanking those who supported them from the beginning.
"It's been a pleasure to meet and serve everybody."
"We're proud of what we created and grateful to everyone who came through our doors."
The restaurant will continue operating as normal until its final service on Saturday, October 17.
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