A popular Edinburgh café has been forced to close its doors for good, due to the impact of nearby construction affecting business.
Abbey's café, on Montrose Terrace, Abbeyhill, have ceased trading after finding it difficult to entice customers with the ongoing student accommodation construction right next door to their premises. The team have also struggled with the aftermath of the pandemic.
Taking to social media to inform their followers, on April 25, that they will no longer be able to stay open, they said: "As most of you are now aware, we will unfortunately be closing our doors forever in two weeks time, our last day of trading will be Sunday, May 8. For those two weeks we will also be closed on Tuesday and Wednesday.
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"Huge shout-out to everyone who has been supportive over the last week or so, it's so heart-warming to see the community spirit still going strong and we will hopefully see you over the next two weeks for a coffee and to say goodbye."
Unfortunately, the closing date was brought forward to Monday, May 2, and Abbey's has now ceased trading.
The erection of around 150 student flats on the derelict site next to Abbey's started just a last month, but already had a damning effect on their business. Part of the path people would walk down or park their cars on when visiting the café, was cordoned off, and a little walkway onto the top of Montrose Terrace from West Norton Place has been closed for the duration of the works.
Offering a selection of light snacks and mouth-watering breakfast options, Abbey's was never short of a crowd on sunny summer days, with customers often sitting outside the historic spire-like building to enjoy a coffee.
Announcing the sad closure and final day of trading via Instagram, the team said: "Thank you SO much to every single one of you that came in and bought a coffee or some beans or some chai or just a wee slice of cake - we see you and we love you.
"Unfortunately, we have had to close a wee bit earlier than hoped but we have had a great year and the last few days have really shown us how much you care for your local coffee shop and we are sorry we couldn't be that for you. We absolutely cannot express our gratitude in any other way then in words. Thank you, thank you, thank you."
