The Polly Tearooms and Restaurant, a fixture of Marlborough's High Street since 1912, has closed after 114 years, with the owners blaming "relentless tax rises" and "another minimum wage increase."
A notice on the cafe's door this week said the business could no longer continue, citing overhead costs and the ongoing cost of living crisis affecting customers' ability to eat out.
Reasons for Closure
The sign read: "Sorry, we are closed. Relentless tax rises and overhead costs plus another minimum wage increase, all when there is an ongoing cost of living crisis affecting our customers’ ability to eat out, has resulted in our closing the Polly Tearooms, after 114 years."
It added: "It is simply impossible to run a High Street business in the UK in these circumstances. Thank you to all of our customers, we value all of your business, and a special thank you to our great staff team."
History and Reaction
The business was founded by Jean Leith Hay and Janet McCloud, one of the original suffragettes, and became a popular gathering place, particularly for local women. The tea room sold cakes, sweet treats, soup and sandwiches.
Danny Kruger, Reform UK MP for East Wiltshire, said he was "appalled" by the news, describing it as "an institution in Marlborough which survived two World Wars, broken by Labour's cost of living and its war on employers." He called for "urgent cuts to VAT on hospitality, cuts to employer NICs and scrap the employments rights act (the anti-employment act)."
A government spokesperson responded that the Budget, announced last month, would give high street firms "breathing space" by freezing or reducing business rates.
The closure drew mixed reactions online. One person wrote on Facebook: "What a tragedy for the town... This country has gone to the wall and that's a fact... It's a sad day for Marlborough." Another said: "Not surprising news. There are still queues out of the door at the independent cafés that still offer good food and reasonable prices and excellent service and a great atmosphere..." A third added: "I'm sad to see it go, but whenever I thought about going for a coffee in town, I never thought to go there. I wish the owners well in their next adventure."
