A cheesemonger also specialising in bottled beer, cider and wine has announced that it will be shutting its doors this weekend after five years of trading. In a statement via their online shop, Lara Issa and Dom Pulsford, the owners of Two Belly, which has a store on Whiteladies Road, wrote: "It's with a heavy heart that we announce the closure of our online shop. We've had a blast serving you, but we have to say goodbye.
"Thank you for supporting us; you've made this journey worth it! We encourage you to continue supporting small businesses in your local community."
Posting on the shop's Instagram yesterday (April 19), Lara and Dom also confirmed the closure of their physical store. They wrote: "It's happening. After five glorious years, we are closing the doors to Two Belly this weekend.
Read More: Whiteladies Road cafe closes after eight years due to rising costs
"Thank you all for joining us on this ride....and what a ride it has been. Best cheese, best booze, best toasties, and best fun times, bar none.
"Come in, say goodbye and get some crazy discounts on our amazing products from Friday onwards.
"We love you, Bristol, see you on the other side."
Much of the shop's refrigerators, usually bursting with beers, are already largely empty, but the cheese counter is well stocked for fromage fans looking to get a final fix before the weekend.
Although Two Belly has had a 'to-let' sign outside since early February, the shop has continued trading as usual. Marketed with Maggs & Allen, the listing says that the lease for the 1,130ft² unit with bi-folding doors to the street is priced at £24,000 pa starting August 1, 2023.
The news of the closure has still been met with shock by many of Two Belly's customers. David Rossiter wrote on Instagram: "Ach so sad to read this. I will miss you dearly!" While Maria Kabakova-Upfold commented: "Devastated to read this. Another incredible independent is going… will miss the friendly people, the awesome cheese and the best eggs in the world!
"I’m broken! I wish you all the happiness in your new adventure, and thank you for providing awesomeness to that part of Whiteladies Road!"
There was optimism, however, from the Bristol food and drink community. Left Handed Giant Brewing wrote: "All the best with what’s to come", and Kask Wine said: "You created something properly special, and can’t wait to see what you do next."
Two Belly's food truck, The Cheese Guys, appears unaffected by the closure, with a busy spring and summer festival season ahead at venues like the Harbourside Market. It will also be popping up at Good Chemistry Brewing for the East Bristol Beer trail over the May Bank Holiday, serving farmhouse cheese toasties, raclette fries and bar snacks.
Two Belly is the latest independent business on Whiteladies Road to shut down, with several empty units now along the upper stretch of the busy thoroughfare. The shop next door to the popular cheese shop formerly housed Tradewind Espresso, which went into liquidation with very little notice to its customers in February, citing the cost of living crisis.
Bristol Live has approached Two Belly for comment.
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