Beloved Newport tea room to close for good after 10 years as owner eyes retirement
A long-standing tea room in Newport has announced it will close this week.
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The Smallwood Lodge Tea Room, located in a historic Grade II listed building in Upper Bar, Newport, will serve its last customers this Saturday (March 1).
Plans to sell the business were announced last year as owner Jackie Walsh, a Market Drayton native, said she was ready for retirement.
Jackie took on the business, which is currently up for auction, in 2014. Over the last decade, it has become a much-loved addition to the community serving a large breakfast menu, teas and cakes as well as vegan and gluten-free light bites.
Speaking to the Shropshire Star, Jackie said interest has been shown to keep the business as it is and she remains hopeful that it will reopen as a tea room in the future.
“I just want to say a big thank you to all the customers for their support over the years,” Jackie added.
“And my staff have been a fantastic team.
“We're open from now until Saturday at 3pm - and we’ve got the tissues ready.”
The Smallwood Lodge Tea Room is one of the latest closures announced in Newport. Last week, clothing shop Daisy Chain in High Street announced its final day of trading as its owner seeks a “new venture”.
