Market Drayton 'turning into a ghost town' says award-winning restaurant boss forced to close
The owner of an award-winning restaurant and bar that has been forced to close has said the town is set to turn into a ghost town due to a lack of business support.
Daniel Derrington announced the closure of the Town House Restaurant and The Living Room Cocktail Bar in Market Drayton on Friday.
The closure has seen the loss of 11 jobs at the popular eatery, which despite winning multiple awards and remaining busy at the weekend, has been forced to shut due rising costs and a lack of footfall in the town centre.
Mr Derrington, who took over the Town House in 2017 and has 23 years experience in the hospitality sector, said: "The problem has not been getting people through the door, it is the spend per head. People just don't have the disposable income they once had.
"We have noticed that people were buying the cheaper dishes and instead of buying a bottle of wine, buying a glass.
"While the spend has dropped, costs have only got higher. They are astronomical now. We were spending £80 a day on gas and electric - we used to pay that a month. Paying 20 per cent VAT on restaurants is also a joke. We can't compete with supermarkets. And business rates are eye-watering."
Mr Derrington added that Market Drayton Town Council was also not doing enough to support local business in the town.
"Market Drayton is a destination town but I've not been able to open at lunchtime during the week for a long time because nobody is shopping in town.
"I sympathise. We don't eat out half as much as we used to, so I get it, I don't blame anyone, except the Government that has put a big squeeze on us, and the town council who have done nothing to help. The footfall is not there. The town council seem to be happy watching it die.
"Market Drayton is fast turning into a ghost town. Even Greggs doesn't get the queues it once had. The only places that will soon be left will be Wetherspoons and niche boutique places that you can't get on the internet.
"I moved here as it is a beautiful town but I do not know if I will want to live in an empty town with no bars and cafes."
He added: "Anybody coming into the industry now should give their head a wobble. After 23 years, I can't make it work, so who can?"
Market Drayton Town Council has been approached for comment.
Comment Guidelines
Iconic Media encourages reader discussion on our stories. User feedback, insights and back-and-forth exchanges add a rich layer of context to reporting. Please review our Community Guidelines before commenting.