A CORNISH bistro is set to close it’s doors for the last time next month due to rising costs and decreased footfall.

The owners of Smorgers Bistro in St Austell town centre have made the difficult decision to close their business after nearly 30 years on the high street.

After starting out as Smorgers Delicatessen, Ken Garrard, together with his wife Mandy, designed and opened the 60-seater Smorgers Bistro in Fore Street.

Ken Garrard
Ken Garrard has been a chef in the restaurant sector for over 40 years. (Picture: Paul Williams)

Ken and Mandy, who have a passion for homemade and locally sourced cuisine, bake their own breads and pastries, as well as producing cakes, buns and muffins.

Earlier this week, the husband and wife team announced that they have decided to call it a day and will close the business on Saturday, November 14.

The couple cited that the ever increasing costs and a significant drop in footfall in St Austell led them to make this decision.

A post from Ken on the Smorgers Bistro Facebook page read: “After 28 Years of baking, making, serving and catering, we sadly announce that due the increases in all our costs (rent, rates, utilities, fuel, national insurance etc), Mandy and I are hanging up our respective aprons and closing Smorgers Bistro and all our catering services.

“Decreased Footfall in the town has also become a major factor. Our last day will be November 14, on which we will be celebrating with a Christmas themed day.”