Spar-partnered Eat 17 is to close the restaurant at its Walthamstow site in London and expand its convenience offering into the space.

The firm announced the closure scheduled for 16 October on social media, stating it had not taken the decision lightly.

Co-founder James Brundle told Better Retailing the closure would not impact the convenience side of the business, which would expand into the former restaurant. He added: “We’re looking to complete the expansion around November and add some new food to go ideas. We’ve had the restaurant for 17 years, so it was a hard decision, but the convenience side of the business has been bursting at the seams.”

Eat 17’s social media post said: “After 17 incredible years, we have made the decision to close our beloved restaurant.

Store profile: Eat 17 Bishop’s Stortford

“This decision was not made lightly and something we have deliberated for quite a while, but the rising cost pressures in the industry have become too much to bear and as we prepare for Eat 17’s next chapter we recognise the need for change and growth.

“We would like to express our deepest gratitude to our remarkable teams over the years who have poured their hearts into the restaurant and to our loyal customers who have supported us through the years from launching as a Waffle House originally in 2007, adding the deli a few years later and eventually as the restaurant we love today with a most incredible team of lovely and professional people led by Sergio and Gus front of house and Matt in the kitchen.”

The closure comes as the firm had recently shut its wholesale business and Hammersmith store, which had both “performed below budget.”

Despite the closures, Brundle told Better Retailing Eat 17 was on track to become more profitable and the poor performance was a result of slow trading during the pandemic.

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