A RESTAURANT born out of a love of Greek food is closing its doors due to the hike in energy prices.
Katarina’s Greek Restaurant in Eastleigh has served customers in and around the borough for over a year.
But a recent spike in gas and electricity bills left owners and husband and wife Kathryn and Val Winteridge with a difficult decision to make.
Val said: “There’s been an escalation of things recently, but the energy prices killed the restaurant.
“People can’t afford to eat out, it’s now [just] for special dates.
“The price rise in Greek products that we buy is minimal in comparison to the hike in energy prices.
“Our bills now cost £2,000 a month. We don’t know where the supposed government help is because we have had nothing.
“What’s been happening is that the café aspect of the business is subsidising the restaurant and that can’t continue.”
The restaurant will officially close after its last evening service on Saturday, October 29, but the café will remain open at the same premises on the High Street.
The café will be open from Monday to Sunday, 8.30pm to 3pm, for breakfast, lunches, snacks and Sunday roasts.
Val said: “The café is going well as it has been established in Eastleigh for five years.
“Kat and I were working seven days a week and five nights to make the restaurant take off and build up, but then it didn’t.
“The government has done nothing for us.”
He added: “We’ve shed our tears and we’re finding it extremely hard.
“People love the food and it is good food. I have got no words to say about the fact it’s come to this.
“To our customers, we are sorry. Thank you for your loyalty."
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