One of the city's oldest established restaurants has closed down and 20 staff have been made redundant.

Eastern Daily Press: Pedro's, Chapelfield, Norwich. Pic: Archant.Pedro's, Chapelfield, Norwich. Pic: Archant.

Pedro's, which has served up fun Mexican-themed food for almost 30 years, has shut down for good, according to one of its directors.

The director, who runs Pedro's along with fellow director Andre Serruys, blamed 'increasing competition'.

The restaurant, in Chapelfield Gardens, closed on Sunday night. Diners had eaten there but at the end of the shift, staff learned it would not be re-opening.

Eastern Daily Press: Pedro's, Chapelfield Gardens, Norwich. Pic: ArchantPedro's, Chapelfield Gardens, Norwich. Pic: Archant

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The director told this newspaper Pedro's 'just had not been busy enough to stay open'. He said there were 20 redundancies and that he hoped to be able to comment more in the next few days.

The restaurant building, which is owned by Norwich City Council, was closed up yesterday and had been completely gutted inside with some items put in a skip which was removed from outside later.

Eastern Daily Press: Kirsty Lee and Owen Pohajdak, from Norwich, said they were sorry Pedros was closing. Pic: Archant.Kirsty Lee and Owen Pohajdak, from Norwich, said they were sorry Pedros was closing. Pic: Archant.

The closure came as a shock to people walking through Chapelfield Gardens. Kirsty Lee and Owen Pohajdak, from Norwich, said they had been considering going for a meal there.

'It's really sad, I think the problem may have been that it's not really in the right place for a restaurant, in the middle of a park,' Kirsty said.

Owen added: 'There are just so many places where you can eat in Norwich now.'

Members of staff had contacted this newspaper saying they had been made redundant. One said: 'It's really sad, Pedro's should be celebrated for what it was.'

The staff member said that there had been some 'exciting plans' ahead for the restaurant.

Tweets had been posted just four days ago with Pedro's inviting diners to 'celebrate Friday' by eating there with two for one discounts.

Another member of staff contacted this newspaper saying: 'Don't know if it's been announced yet but Pedro's has been closed and all staff made redundant. I don't want to risk my redundancy but people need to know.'

Scrap metal mogul Andre Serruys is a renowned Norfolk businessman, based at SPC House, Atlas Works, Norwich Road, Lenwade. He also runs Serruys Property Company.

Do you have good memories of Pedro's? Tweet @edpbusiness or email caroline.culot@archant.co.uk