A Shrewsbury restaurant announces its closure after six months of difficulties

Terrace Charcoal Grill and Lounge Bar on Smithfield Road, Shrewsbury, officially opened in July 2023 after a two-year effort to transform the riverside building.

Before the renovation, the former Lily’s Riverside Tea Garden was closed for several years before being taken over by husband and wife, James and Wendy Yurky, and two other business partners.

However, on Monday, James announced on social media that the restaurant would be closing its doors after 14 months of operation.

Explaining the decision to close, he said the company had not been generating sufficient revenue for the past six months and had been personally paying employees during that time.

He added: “We just didn’t do enough business this weekend to have enough money to pay anyone. Therefore, the company is insolvent and I am obliged not to incur any further debts.

“Employees will receive money. Everyone was informed about the support program on offer for them to apply for pay, leave and notice pay, which is a government-backed program. I do not receive any remuneration from the company, I have never done so. .

“It’s always a terrible thing, but there’s literally no other option. I can’t pay people with money that doesn’t exist.

“Closing the business, which meant employees would have access to a support program and losing every penny I had invested in the building and business, was the preferred choice.”