The owners of a Chinese restaurant who "didn't think they were that loved" were "truly speechless" after closing their doors for the final time.
The Beijing Restaurant, on Eccleston Street in Prescot, recently took to its Facebook page to announce the news they would be closing on June 5 after 30 years in the town centre as the owner decided to retire. Growing up in the city centre around their parents' restaurant, the Silver Moon on Leece Street, brothers George and David Lee regularly helped out in the family business before opening their own restaurant as adults.
Building a close relationship with loyal customers who "became more like friends" through the years, one area of the Beijing Restaurant used to be filled with postcards and later three boards worth of magnets from around the world, the majority being brought back by customers as gifts. As part of the Liverpool ECHO's How It Used To Be series, we recently spoke to George, 59, and David, 58, about how the business and area around it has changed, as well as their final days in restaurant.
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And George and David both said that the response to their closing announcement on Facebook made them realise how loved they are in the community. George said: "To be honest we didn't think we were that popular until these last few days and then we realised how quite well known-ish we are.
"Even if they don’t really know us they know all our names. We did not expect that response at all.
"I've had a few phone calls too, not about coming in to eat but people saying I can’t believe it, I'm made up for you and things like that. People have been coming in who haven't been for years, or who have been regulars for years, or people who haven't been before and just want to see what all the talk is about. People thought we’d always be here and have planned ahead to Christmas.
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"We've had a New Year's Eve party [for people] who've come here every New Year's Eve for 15, 20 years and 20 of them are coming in on the last day, so they've brought it half a year forward. I feel quite proud actually and I think they’ll always remember us, I really do think in many years to come."
David said: "We didn't really think we were that loved. We just got on with our work, our job. We just thought we’d quietly close it after two or three weeks and put it up on Facebook.
"We got a lot of well wishes on Facebook which we really appreciate. We just didn't know we’d be that missed."
The restaurant has now closed its doors after a "hectic" few weeks of customers visiting for the final time. On their Facebook page, George and Dave thanked their customers again and said they have been left "truly speechless."
The post reads: "Following the announcement that we would be closing on 5th, June 2023, we have been overwhelmed with the messages of support and kindness displayed by our loyal customers. The number of cards and gifts we have received have left us truly speechless.
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"On behalf of everyone at the Beijing restaurant we would simply like to say a huge thank you for your custom over the past 30 years and wish each and everyone of you good luck and good health in the future. George and Dave."
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