A HEREFORD restaurant has "no other choices" but to close as the cost of living crisis continues to bite.

In an announcement today, the owners of The Den Restaurant in Hereford's Bridge Street said it was with their deepest regret and sadness that they have had to make the decision to close.

"After months of contemplation we tried our best to stay but now is the right time to announce our closure as we have no other choices," they said in a statement on social media.

"The hospitality industry has suffered huge challenges over the last few years mainly due to Covid and now the cost of living.

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"We have been constantly finding ways to save money and stay competitive while maintaining the quality of the food and service but this has become consistently more difficult. This was not an easy decision to make yet we are grateful for the 10 years we have had. It’s been a blast!

"We would like to thank all our loyal customers, and apologise to anyone this may cause an inconvenience to. For those of you with gift voucher please email us at thedenrestaurant@gmail.com.

"We would like to wish you all the best for future as we bow out of The Den.

"Goodbye……for now."

Hereford Times: The Den restaurant's bosses Jade Owen, Gavin Morgan and Harry Wolfe Murray before the move to Bridge Street in 2018The Den restaurant's bosses Jade Owen, Gavin Morgan and Harry Wolfe Murray before the move to Bridge Street in 2018 (Image: Hereford Times)

The Den has been in Bridge Street since moving from West Street after their rent was increased at their previous location.

The team had already opened a second business, The Dog House, in the street.

The Hereford Times reported in 2018 that The Den had been presented with a 90 per cent rent increase for its premises in West Street, and after negotiations the figure was reduced to 60 per cent.

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