The Tucked Away Take Away, a popular sandwich shop in Ashford, Kent, is set to close after its owner confirmed plans to retire. Malcolm Golesworth, who has run the shop since 2013, said he does not want to face another winter of early starts after a decades-long career in hospitality.
Owner's reasons for closing
Golesworth told KentOnline: "It’s just come to the end of the road for me. The thought of going into another winter isn’t something I want to see." He added: "It's a job which involves 5am starts six days a week, so I’ve reached a point where I do feel tired now."
Despite the closure, Golesworth noted that the shop's performance remains strong. "Footfall has been OK even though the town is dead on its feet a lot of the time," he said. "We’ve built up our customer base from office workers, which means we have good and bad days - there isn’t a rhyme or reason for that."
Shop's history and reputation
The shop, which specialises in sandwiches, freshly baked goods and sweet treats, started trading in the 1970s as Ye Olde Carvery. It was previously run by Mandy Stutchbury and her mother before Golesworth took over in 2013. The business has been described by some as a "hidden gem" in the town.
Golesworth praised his customers, saying: "The people who come in are lovely and it’s been a great place to work, but finding staff is hard now." He added: "Overall, the footfall has been steady, so it’s not like I’m deserting a sinking ship - the French sticks at lunch and the cakes all sell really well."
Future of the site
No plans for the site have been announced, and a 'to let' sign has appeared in the window. An exact closing date has not been confirmed. Golesworth remarked: "Someone’s got a ready-made business to take on if they wish, but also something they can transform with a new lease of life if they want to go down a different path."
The shop has received excellent reviews online. One Google review reads: "Nice and fresh, the right amount of fillings, and very tasty. The staff here are great." A TripAdvisor reviewer wrote: "The best sandwich shop I’ve been to and that’s not a statement I make lightly. The sandwiches are consistently first class, with great quality ingredients and proper flavour."
