THE owner of The Country Kitchen has confirmed that the business is set to close its doors at the end of next month.
Kimberley Soni, who bought The Country Kitchen in Hardshaw Centre in 2013, is set to shut the eaterie's doors.
The shopping complex is being axed as part of the regeneration plans in St Helens.
The 40-year-old, who also owns Cassandras in St Mary’s Shopping Centre, says she is "sad" to close.
Speaking to the Star, Kimberley, who grew up in Merton Bank and Rainhill, said: “Basically my lease isn’t up until 2028 and I’m really sad to leave but the options given to me weren’t realistic for the business and since I’ve moved to London, so I was kind of pushed towards closure.
“It is sad because our clientele really loves the Country Kitchen, we are a more traditional venue with traditional dishes, and they really love that and I’m sad to think that that’s going to be gone now.
“I love my staff, and obviously we still have Cassandras, but plans moving forward from the council are to close St Mary’s Shopping Centre in Phase Two of the regeneration, so I’m not sure how much longer I’ll have that for either.
“It’s scary, these are my only two businesses, these are my bread and butter. I’m going to have to pay for redundancies as well and the council aren’t helping with that.
“But like I said I love my staff, I have excellent managers in both venues and I’ve told them that if they can find a suitable venue elsewhere then I’ll back them all the way.
“There are fantastic modern businesses opening up, but I feel like what we offer is reassuring and safe to an older clientele and they use the town centre as much as anyone else. I’m still keen to offer a place to them.
READ: Hardshaw Centre: what are the plans and who is relocating?
“So until March 31 we can serve them at The Country Kitchen but after then it will be Cassandras until we can figure out what the next step is.
“I do think exciting things are ahead for St Helens, but at the moment the town centre does look dire. Hopefully with all these plans it will really transform.”
The Country Kitchen will close on Friday, March 31.
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