Monday 28 October 2013

El's Kitchen to close this Thursday

This is a sad week for Ladywell.  Thursday will see the closure of El's Kitchen, a beacon of hope and quality in Ladywell's shopping parade.  El is calling time on this venture and explains her decision as follows:

"It is with great regret that we have to inform all our lovely customers that El’s Kitchen will be closing for good on Thursday 31st October.  Unfortunately El is unable to carry on running the business and there is no succession plan in place.  It’s been a really hard decision for us to make and we’ve given it an enormous amount of consideration, and, although we have looked into other options, none are viable given the circumstances.

We’ve spent a fantastic three years bringing you delicious food and drink in Ladywell and we couldn’t have done it without our wonderfully committed staff and tremendously loyal customers. We’ve really valued your business and greatly appreciated your support through the highs (Christmas trading and wine tastings!) and the lows (the bloody road works!).

It’s been an amazing experience being such a pivotal part of Ladywell and we’re very sad that El’s Kitchen will no longer be at the centre of the local community. We’d like to thank our customers and staff for coming with us on such an exciting journey, and we’re really hoping that someone can take over the reins and carry it on so that Ladywell gets to keep its deli.

El’s Kitchen is solvent and is not being liquidated. The lease and assets are for sale of this perfectly positioned property, which comes with an A3 restaurant licence, an on and off sales premises licence and a very friendly and accommodating landlord. Any interested parties should contact el@elskitchen.co.uk.

Robert Sheppard

14 comments:

Unknown said...

Oh no, really terrible news. A huge loss to Ladywell.

Geoffrey said...

I'm really sorry to hear about this.

Anonymous said...

This is sad news. I hope it will continue as a high quality deli. On a slightly different subject does anyone know what is happening with the tavern?

Anonymous said...

This is really pretty devastating. What a brilliant business. Hopefully someone will seize this opportunity and keep it going in its fantastic current format or something similar. Community cooperative anyone? Best of luck to El.

Anonymous said...

I am really sorry to hear this. El's has been such an important part of Ladywell. Fingers crossed it continues one way or another. All the very best to you El and thank you for such a great shop.

Anonymous said...

Looks like Monty has given up on the Tavern. Soon to be boarded up. V sad.

Geoffrey said...

Rumour has it that the Manager of Misty Moon Gallery is the new manager of the Ladywell Tavern; but the rumour was that it would reopen towards the end of October. At least there's a new pavement outside!!

Anonymous said...

Els was trading well beyond their means apparently - small shop, overstaffed etc etc

I suspect El may have had aspirations beyond the actuality of the situation

sadly missed though

Anonymous said...

El's is not the first to leave in the last year and she wont be the last ladywell is not a VILLAGE like people think it is the only shops that will survive are the shop that are owned eg the dry cleaners the hairdressers the village chicken shop etc as they do not have to pay the high rents and business rates.. question is who is next.

Lady said...

Very sad to hear this news, a real shame when someone has put so much thought, effort and creativity and enhanced the area. Wishing you well and that maybe something comes along to keep El's going. Hoping for the Tavern to open sometime soon also.

Unknown said...

Sounds like there are more issues involved here! High rent, astronomical business rates, bad landlords and no support from governmental organisations. Seems like you are doomed to fail in the current environ! Unless you are a grubby fast food outlet, no one is listening to what the people want. The odds are stacked against the community! We have a new road for sub standard operations to thrive! Its allabout keeping the working class in their place. (eating fried chicken and betting their last pound at the betting shop) rage against the machne,,,,,

Anonymous said...

This sucks.

Thanks eli, its been great.

Hope someone takes over with a similar format. If its another Chicken shop I would weep.

Anonymous said...

To Anonymous 6 November 14.41 - How on earth do you know that El's was trading beyond their means and overstaffed? Did they share their accounts with you?
Why start damaging rumours about something you know nothing about?
Want to share your bank statements with us so we can see if you're living within your means? We could share that info publically too!

Unknown said...

So sad to see this . I'm a bus driver saw start off day /end off day and the day part .customers and staff always looked happy .Bloody roadworks did not help .