Reasons why The Antique Tea Shop in Hereford has closed

The Antique Tea Shop, in St Peter's Square, earned a four-star rating on Tripadvisor, with one person saying the owner and staff were welcoming, and the food lovely. 

It was run by Miffy and Asanfa Perera, who took over the tea shop in May 2010.

However, Mrs Perera said they have decided to take semi-retirement. 

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"As you can imagine it’s a huge task to run a business like that," she said.

"It’s six days a week and it doesn’t finish when you close the door thinking about the special for the menu, all the baking and shopping.

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"Also, the cost of everything has gone up so much, such as wages, electricity and food."

The Antique Tea Shop is now closed (Image: The Antique Tea Shop)

Mrs Perera said she wanted to thank everyone who made the tea shop a success.

"Over the years, we have had some amazing staff and are grateful to each and every one of them for helping make the tea shop what it was.

"Saying goodbye to everyone has been an emotional time. But we would like to thank everyone for all our good wishes cards flowers chocolate and wine. We are both so grateful to everyone that have ever been in and had a cup of tea."

Many customers left cards and flowers after hearing the tea shop was closing (Image: The Antique Tea Shop)

At the time of taking over the tea shop, the couple also similar businesses in Monmouth and Ross-on-Wye. However, the latter closed during the Covid pandemic.

"We were one of the lucky ones who survived Covid in Hereford and that was because of our customers," said Mrs Perera.

"During Covid, we would deliver afternoon high tea boxes all over Hereford, which I am sure people were grateful for. We have enjoyed every minute of it and that is down to our amazing customers.

"Some would come every day, some once a week, and some just once a year when here on holiday. The hardest thing deciding to close the tea shop was the thought of having to tell customers."