Wilmslow's Sip 'n' Spice Indian restaurant has warned it may not survive until Christmas, as owners cite low footfall and cost-of-living pressures despite rave reviews.
The sister restaurant to popular Indian street food spot Chit 'n' Chaat, which has several locations across the UK, opened on Water Lane in the Cheshire town a year ago. Founders Sagar Modha, his wife and Marketing Director Natasha Jaffrey, who previously established Chit 'n' Chaat in Deansgate, Rusholme, The Trafford Centre and Cheadle, created Sip 'n' Spice to serve South Indian cuisine rather than traditional curry house dishes.
A 'last push' to attract customers
In a bid to turn fortunes around, the team is launching what they call a "last push" with a customer offer throughout November. Alongside their contemporary Indian dishes, they have added Indo-Chinese flavours, including chicken Szechuan, Mumbai Chilli Chicken, Popcorn Cauliflower, Hakka Chilli Paneer, and Vegetable Manchurian.
Natasha Jaffrey told the Manchester Evening News: "We have really struggled to achieve what we had initially dreamt for our restaurant Sip 'n' Spice. We're coming up to a year, but we're struggling. It's hard, we see Wilmslow and it's not dead. Everyone is talking about the cost of living, and we're sad that it looks like we might have to close by Christmas as we're not getting the custom we need."
New menu and discount offer
Throughout November, from Tuesday to Thursday, Sip 'n' Spice is offering 30% off its menu. Dishes include samosas, mince lamb croquettes, and okra fries for starters, alongside tandoor dishes such as chicken tikka, lamb chops, king prawns, and paneer tikka. Curries range from butter chicken, chicken tikka masala, lamb saag, and lamb kheema, plus a range of veggie options.
"When people come, they love the food but I don't know if it's the location, and because the rest of the restaurants are clustered together. Our chef is so disheartened, it's almost as if, if we don't want to change it to something else, it's his dream, but we have launched a new menu to entice people in," Natasha added.
Uncertain future
Natasha hopes the new menu and discount will draw customers this winter. "When you look at other businesses they are busy all the time, but we are empty," she said. "People say it's the best Indian they've had, so we're stuck in this rut - we know people like it. There's wastage, to the point where I would much rather have 15 complimentary guests so it doesn't go to waste."
"We are facing what other people in hospitality industry are with the high costs but we a that little bit further away so people aren't necessarily thinking of us. If by the end of the year it doesn't pick up we can't go into the new year."
Sip 'n' Spice is located at 80 Water Ln, Wilmslow SK9 5BB, and is open Tuesday through Thursday 4pm until 10pm; Friday and Saturday 12pm until 10pm; and Sunday, 12pm until 9pm.
