A POPULAR Thai restaurant in the west of the Island has announced its closure due to “spiralling costs”.
Sugar Banana Thai Kitchen in St Aubin made the announcement on social media late on Monday evening.
Owner Moe Chinram said the decision was “not made lightly”.
Dozens of Islanders wrote messages of support on social media, with several saying the restaurant offered the “best Thai food in the Island” and that it would be a “huge loss” to Jersey.
Ms Chinram’s full statement read: “Due to spiralling costs, with a heavy heart I have had to make a heartbreaking decision.
“Sugar Banana Thai Kitchen is closed for business. This decision was not made lightly and I am struggling with ill health as a direct result of the situation.
“I would like to thank all my customers and suppliers and friends and family; without you all this journey would not have been possible. Lots of love, Moe.”
The closure comes after Nude Food in St Aubin shut abruptly last November, also citing rising costs as one of the issues – although this site was later purchased by La Haule Manor and reopened as The Slip this summer.
Over 50 Islanders reacted to the news of the Thai restaurant’s closure, with one commenting: “Sad news – running a business in Jersey these days with such high running costs and staffing difficulties isn’t easy.”
Another said: “What a terrible loss, not only to St Aubin but to the Island.”
The restaurant had been shuttered for several successive weekends before the announcement was made.
