Sadness as Southsea's Jam & Bowler to close tomorrow

NEWS of another city restaurant's pending closure has been met with sadness.

Breakfast tea rooms Jam & Bowler have revealed that their doors will shut from tomorrow.

The business only opened in Victoria Road South in Southsea last year but was dealt a blow this March when thieves stole £150 in cash from the establishment.

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In a short statement, the restaurant said: ‘Due to unforeseen circumstances, Jam & Bowler will be closing.

‘From everyone here, we would like to thank you for your continued support over the last year and a half.

‘We have thoroughly enjoyed our time in Southsea, but unfortunately, it is time to hang up our bowler hat.’

Ward councillors Linda Symes and Hugh Mason have expressed sadness at the closure but pointed to its difficult location as potential reason for its struggles.

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Cllr Symes, a Tory city councillor said: ‘It is very sad news that the restaurant is closing.

‘It is a hard location to operate a successful restaurant or cafe there as the shops along the top of Victoria Road South seem to blend into Elm Grove.

‘Businesses based there are going to struggle as they are by traffic lights and there is no on-street parking.’

‘For those looking to pop down that area for a bite to eat, they are more likely to go along Albert Road as it has on-street parking there.’

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Cllr Mason agreed that the business’s location put them in a ‘very difficult situation.’

The Lib Dem councillor said: ‘With no parking and the traffic lights there, the business was really a victim of its location.

‘I would say that it was always going to be difficult to sustain a business there. I would advise against a food business using that unit.’

The News contacted Jam & Bowler’s management for comment but did not receive a reply.

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It follows the announcement that trendy cinema-cum-coffee house Cafe au Cinema in Osborne Road will close this July. They informed customers last week that they would close due to ‘insurmountable circumstances.’

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