The owner of a prominent Perth restaurant has announced its closure, saying he has been left “physically and mentally exhausted” by the challenges of hospitality in recent years.
Graeme Pallister, owner of 63 Tay Street in the city centre, said the announcement of an 11-month road closure on the same street was the final straw after battling coronavirus restriction, staff shortages and the cost of living crisis.
The popular restaurant will close on Christmas Eve after 16 years.
Just last week Graeme and fellow Tay Street business owners told The Courier they feared for their future after it was revealed Scottish Water works due to start in January will see a stretch of the street shut for most of next year.
Graeme called the upcoming road closure a “deep blow” and said Tay Street becoming an “industrial site” was a deciding factor in his decision to close.
In a statement on social media he said: “As we all know these past years have been incredibly difficult for many and running a small independent restaurant has been beyond challenging, from covid to chef shortages and now a cost of living crisis, it seems such a long time ago to have slept well or had anyone to talk to in my kitchen.
“I realise I have been physically and mentally exhausted for quite some time and I must put my own wellbeing front and centre.
“The deep blow of the road closure and the pending industrial site for the entirety of next year has been a decisive factor, however, I have painfully come to realise, it is simply time.”
He later told The Courier: “The decision was brewing and then with the road closure I decided enough was enough.
“I have bills at home and the same at the restaurant on top of everything else, the fight didn’t make sense.
“It’s a sad end to a great story.
“I kept trying and pushed myself to make it work, try to find another way out of it.
“I was a bit shaken when I put the news out there. It has been difficult and feels painful right now, I feel like I’m having an out of body experience.”
Graeme hopes someone will take over the business and has asked any interested parties to get in touch.
He also shared his gratefulness and thanks to his customers and all of those involved in the success of the business over the years.
He credits his colleague and manager Christopher Strachan with helping him until this point.
Graeme added: “I wish this wasn’t the end but I have great memories.
“I’ll no doubt still try and walk up and put the key in the door, it’s muscle memory at this point.
“The ideas on what to do next will come but right now I’ll be taking a few weeks away, I’m not making any decisions in the shock of the news.”
Cameron Grassick, owner of neighbouring Robert Cameron Hair, raised similar concerns about the work, which will see sewage work repairs close the road between Canal Street and Marshall Place.
Scottish Water says the work is crucial to maintain infrastructure, as well as address flood risks.
The company pledged to support affected businesses during the work.
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