The closure of a 114-year-old Wiltshire tea room has been described as a “tragedy” for its local town.
The Polly Tearooms and Restaurant had been a fixture of Marlborough’s High Street since its founding in 1912, surviving both world wars.
But a notice appeared on the cafe’s door this week saying it was forced to shut due to “relentless tax rises” and “another minimum wage increase”.
The sign read: “Sorry, we are closed. Relentless tax rises and overhead costs plus another minimum wage increase, all when there is an ongoing cost of living crisis affecting our customers’ ability to eat out, has resulted in our closing the Polly Tearooms, after 114 years.
“It is simply impossible to run a High Street business in the UK in these circumstances. Thank you to all of our customers, we value all of your business, and a special thank you to our great staff team.”
The business was founded by Jean Leith Hay and Janet McCloud – one of the original suffragettes – and grew to be a popular gathering place, particularly for local women.
The sign on the door announcing the closure(Image: Newsquest / SWNS)
The tea room sold a range of cakes and sweet treats, as well as a savoury dishes such as soup and sandwiches.
Danny Kruger, a Reform UK MP for East Wiltshire, said he was “appalled” by the news.
“An institution in Marlborough which survived two World Wars, broken by Labour’s cost of living and its war on employers,” he said.
“We need urgent cuts to VAT on hospitality, cuts to employer NICs and scrap the employments rights act (the anti-employment act).”
A government spokesperson responded by saying the Budget, announced last month, would give high street firms “breathing space” by freezing or reducing business rates.
The news of the closure received mixed reactions online, with some people saying they were “sad” about the announcement while others said they were “not surprised”.
“What a tragedy for the town,” one person wrote on Facebook. “This country has gone to the wall and that’s a fact… It’s a sad day for Marlborough.”
But another person wrote: “Not surprising news. There are still queues out of the door at the independent cafés that still offer good food and reasonable prices and excellent service and a great atmosphere…”
Another added: “I’m sad to see it go, but whenever I thought about going for a coffee in town, I never thought to go there. I wish the owners well in their next adventure.”
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