Two-AA-rosette restaurant Sosban in Llanelli announced on Twitter at the weekend that it has permanently closed
The restaurant's directors and chef have apologised profusely to their customers for having to close down the Carmarthenshire restaurant "despite best efforts" to salvage the business.
The closure, brought on by financial struggles linked to rising costs, has taken customers and friends of the Llanelli restaurant's patrons by surprise.
Sadly, we have closed our doors.
Sosban’s Directors are sorry to announce that we closed on Sunday 3rd February 2019 and we will not be reopening in the near future.
We would like to thank all our loyal customers and suppliers for the support they have provided us since we opened pic.twitter.com/DYeuBIKe9r
— Sosban (@SosbanLlanelli) 4 February 2019
A message on the restaurant's website informed customers that “the decision to close has been a very difficult and heartbreaking one to make given the considerable effort that has been made over many years, but regrettably, in the face of rising costs associated with running the restaurant, some things are just not meant to be.”
Chefs Sian Rees and Ian Wood, formerly of Terence Conran's Orrery restaurant opened Sosban in 2011, backed by former international rugby players Stephen Jones and Dwayne Peel and local businessman Robert Williams.
The 80 cover venue was built in a former hydraulic power pumping station, and was a huge success among locals. It was lauded throughout the South West of Wales as the best gastropubs in the region, receiving two AA Rosettes in 2013.
Great British Menu semi-finalist Andrew Sheridan – who worked alongside Michael Caines at ABode Chester – took over as executive chef at the restaurant in 2017.
Following the news of its closure, the restaurant received an outpour of messages from customers, many wishing that the venue reopen its doors one day in the future - though one remarked that it had become inaccessible to less affluent customers - likely due to the financial woes it was experiencing.
Responsible for the single greatest meal I’ve ever eaten in my life, and one of the best evenings I’ve ever spent with my wife. Sad loss to the area
— Sam Collins (@S_C_Coach) 4 February 2019
Sad news! I used to love the place and have eaten there so many times. Unfortunately the menu over the last couple of years became a bit too extravagant for us. Hopefully in time you could return to the "Old Sosban" and reopen your doors.????????????
— Elisabeth Matthews (@ElisabethMatth1) 4 February 2019
Chef John Wynne of Porth Eirias Tweeted that he “knew how sad Andrew was” having had a conversation with him, and Wales Online journalist Neil Cammie shared a consolatory message to the chef and to one of the backers:
Very sad as Andrew was really pushing the envelope with his cooking and Rob was a great guy as a backer. Good luck for the future.
— Neil Cammies (@NeilCammies) 4 February 2019
Another indication that it has no plans to reopen as of yet, the restaurant called for its customers to get in touch privately to redeem any valid gift vouchers.
By Tanwen Dawn-Hiscox
