A popular Nottingham restaurant has announced it is closing due to 'unforeseen circumstances' and thanked customers for their businesses over the years. Kabul Express, in Radford Road, has been open for 12 years but bosses say it has been too difficult to stay open during the current economic crisis.
The restaurant has pulled the shutters down and placed a sign on the outside to warn customers that they will not be opening. They wrote: "Due to unforeseen circumstances, we are sadly closing down. We will be looking for new premises. Thank you for all your custom over the years."
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It is a difficult time for businesses due to cost of living increases and also the energy crises after Brexit and Covid restrictions. Many across the city centre have been forced to close such as Brexit Burger, No Homers Deli and also The Courtyard Cafe.
Owner Said Sahebzada helped to run the restaurant with his father Mir. He says due to increasing costs, it's been hard to keep the business going but when they were approached to sell, they decided to go through with it.
"There were a few reasons for the closure such as expenses going up including our rents and energy costs which are sky-high. It's a sign of the times and because of the energy crisis, people have less disposable income to spend. It creates the perfect storm for businesses who decide to put them up for sale or just close down," Said said.
"We've been there for twelve years and I am still getting messages from people asking about it. If I am on the street or in the gym people ask what is going on because they loved our food."
The restaurant had been known for its extensive Afghan-inspired menu that combined favourites such as lamb or daal curries. The food was also available for order through the takeaway app, Just Eat.
"We decided it was time to move and find something else that has fewer expenses. There are business rates being raised, then you have your expenses and rent. You have to buy fresh ingredients every day. When you go to the market, you see a 20 or 50 per cent rise in prices," Said explained.
We change the menu every two weeks and I feel guilty for raising the prices and you worry about how customers are going to react to that. You worry you will lose your regular customers who come to us to buy affordable food."
The business has already been sold but it is not clear what it will become in the new year. Said said due to the rising costs, it's too difficult to operate in the food industry.
"We were quite fortunate in comparison to other businesses that someone came to us to offer to buy the business. We've been asked before to sell many times before in previous years but in these times, we thought we would take our chance."
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