Exmouth’s Brunch, Lunch & Munch café is to close down next month.

Owners Nikki and Richard Jackson posted on Facebook on Sunday (June 22) to announce that, 'with a heavy heart', they’re giving notice on the tenancy of the premises in Parade Street, and will cease trading in July.

They say they ‘simply cannot absorb’ the high energy bills which they have been ‘battling with’ since November last year, on top of several other pressures on the business.

They have also seen a fall in customer numbers as a result of the introduction of residents’ parking permits in The Colonies, which has led to fewer spaces in the town centre. People who used to park in town and visit the café are no longer doing so.

In the Facebook post Richard said:

“Being a business owner is tough. Being a business owner in the hospitality trade I believe is even tougher.

“Since our humble beginnings at the Albion, we’ve been hit with Covid, staff shortages, food shortages, fuel shortages with the food van, food inflation and the cost of living crisis which we’ve got though.

“Unfortunately the energy bills for us tripled since November where the stress has simply just got too much.

“I’m devastated, heartbroken as all the hard work and long hours and five years of hard work have simply been washed away.”

He and Nikki have not decided what to do next. They will continue trading as normal this week, and then take a holiday from July 3 to July 10.

They have thanked all the customers who have supported them over the last five years, and particularly during the last few difficult months.

Richard’s Facebook post said: “I’d like to finish by thanking firstly my staff, past and present as without you, we couldn’t have made it this far. Also to our wonderful customers from the Albion, to everyone we’ve seen on the van route at businesses around the town and at our shop now. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for all your support, it’s been great to be part of the Exmouth community.

“A man knows his limits, and I know I’ve reached mine, before breaking point is met.”

Customers have posted messages of sympathy and ‘good luck’ in comments to the Facebook post, saying they will miss the café but understand how hard it has been for hospitality businesses to survive in the current economic climate.

Richard ended his post with a plea for customers to support  Exmouth’s other independent businesses.

He said:  “When you buy a coffee or a sandwich in town next time, check out our amazing independents.

“Right now they need your support more than ever.”