A popular vegan pop-up has pleaded with people to support local businesses after it announced it is closing down. LD's Kitchen, which first launched during lockdown, has said the business is no longer financially viable in its current format and has warned that many independents will struggle to survive this winter.
Owner Lianna Davis opened the kitchen at Chatterton's Cafe in Redcliffe Way with her partner Aidan Sinclair at the beginning of 2021. The couple - both musicians - had lost work during the pandemic when lockdown restrictions prohibited live performances and touring, launching a plant-based barbecue kitchen to fill a gap in Bristol's food scene. It moved to a permanent home at The Kingsdown Vaults just three months later.
LD's then took over the kitchen at The Golden Lion on Gloucester Road in September last year serving up its indulgent plant-based dishes and popular roast dinners on Sundays. It has cited a price rise of a number of its core ingredients as the "final nail in the coffin", including cooking oil which has more than doubled in less than two years and will close its two operations in Bristol and London - a decision made "with a heavy heart and total devastation," it wrote on social media.
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Speaking to BristolLive, Ms Davies said: "Myself and my staff are all musicians and I started this to help musicians like myself who fell through the cracks and couldn't get work of support because of Government loopholes. Now, because of the horrendous way the Government have handled everything in relation to the pandemic and the cost of living I am now shutting my business which is meaning eight people are losing their jobs and due to them being musicians and artists they are already struggling to find flexible work that will allow them to continue their passions.
"I created a workplace to celebrate and encourage everyone to be able to continue what they love and have a steady workload from when they weren't touring. Back in the pandemic a lot of people were told to re-train etc I did (not because the Government told me too) as I needed to do something to support my son and now that's been taken away again.
"Most independents will not survive this winter especially in the arts and hospitality sector. I'm not the only one struggling with the costs of living and it's only going to get worse unless there is proper support put in place now and the people above stop capitalising on the misfortune of the working class."
In a statement on Facebook, Ms Davies said she does not want to raise prices again as affordability is a core part of her business. She also hopes to bring the kitchen back to events in the future.
"I can’t sustainably run the business with the continuing rising costs of living and running this business, esp [sic] with no backing as the debts fall on me," the statement continued. "I can’t put my family through that with on top having already been working seven days a week without being paid myself for months when I have a young son."
LD's will close down at The Golden Lion on November 6. Ms Davies confirmed she hopes to continue serving Sunday roasts throughout the winter at the Bishopston pub and offer 'cook at home' boxes. It's famous for its meat-free fried 'chicken' wings, BBQ ribs, loaded fries and barbecue beans.
The restaurant thanked the pubs in Bristol and London, concluding its statement with a final message to support independents this year. It read: "Times are hard for everyone, but please give support to your local independent business. There are so many who like me who are facing closing their doors this winter."
News of the closure comes amid a number of Bristol businesses announcing they can no longer continue working during the cost of living crisis. Another vegan restaurant, Seitan's Corner, is closing for good along with Indian restaurant veteran Al's Tikka Grill and Stokes Croft's Jamaica Street Stores.
Find LD's Kitchen at The Golden Lion, 244 Gloucester Rd, Bishopston, Bristol BS7 8NZ and on Uber Eats
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