An independent Norwich restaurant is preparing for its last night of service tonight unless they can find an investor and they have cited Brexit as the reason for their pending closure.
Blue Agave on Upper King Street have said on social media that Saturday night will be the last time they trade, unless they can find an investor, and stated that the drop in sales following the vote to leave the European Union have been 'staggering.'
The restaurant, which opened at the end of May, is the project of Californian Jason Coolbaugh, who settled in the region with his wife, Sophie, and nine-year-old daughter, Hana.
Mrs Coolbaugh said they expected it to be a bit slower following the vote to leave on June 23 but did not foresee the extent to which trade would drop.
'Week on week our sales fell by a £1,000 after the Brexit vote, we thought it would have been slow as there was less students and people about but the drop was just staggering,' she said. 'We have spoken to other businesses in Tombland and they have said that they have seen the same thing but they are in a better place to deal with it as they have been open longer, we have only been open since May.'
The restaurant has also been hit with higher important prices for their Mexican spices and drinks which have risen by 10%.
Since posting the appeal for help on Facebook they have been contacted by a number people interested in investing but if a deal can not be secured, Saturday night will be the last night of trading.
Mrs Coolbaugh said: 'We are hoping that something comes of it as we have no cash left in the bank and no way of buying food to open next week.
'If we do get an investor it will be a temporary closure but if not it will have to be for good which is just awful.'
The family relocated to the city to open the eatery and they plan to stay whatever happens.
Mrs Coolbaugh added: 'We love Norwich. It has been really good to us, it is great for our daughter and we have made so many good friends.'
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