Copyright cambridge-news
A small Cambridgeshire restaurant hit by the effects of Covid is closing down after seven years. Jonny’s Kitchen in the Ortongate Shopping Centre in Orton, Peterborough will close its doors for the last time today (October 31). The restaurant offered a “healthier lunch and dinner alternative”, with its meals offering a balance of protein, carbohydrates, fats and vegetables. Owner Jonny Gan said the business “exploded” when it opened seven years ago, but the effects of Covid-19 and the Ukrainian war have had a lasting effect on it. Jonny said: “We got screwed over with Covid. We didn’t qualify for government help at the time so we struggled, but we eventually managed to pull through. We were hit hard with Covid and then the war in Europe and inflation didn’t help. “We are still feeling that impact. With prices going up as well, we can’t keep up with it. We’ve had to let people go and there have only been two of us working. “It’s really hard on us and really tiring. Working for six days a week for around 70 hours is hard.” Jonny said a highlight of running the restaurant has been his customers: “Our customers are so amazing and supportive. “When we opened, we didn’t need to advertise as they advertised for us. Most of our customer base has been from people talking about us to others. “We have supported the local community when people were struggling with food. There were lots of stories about people going into food poverty and being a food operation, I didn’t think it was right. Since the community helped me, I wanted to help them.” Jonny added that he wanted to thank his customers for their support over the seven years.
