Southampton's Supper Rooms shut down to make way for flats in Swaythling

The Supper Rooms, in Swaythling, known for many years as Colleys Supper Rooms, has closed after the tenants left the premises.

Mystery surrounds the exact reason why they quit the property, but the Daily Echo has discovered that the owner of the site has secured outline planning permission to demolish the existing building to build a block of flats.

Provisional approval was granted for the owner of the site that would allow a three-storey block to be built in place of the current building.

Rob Wiles, of Concept Design and Planning – the agent for the owner, who is believed to be on holiday – confirmed that approval had been given to a planning application to convert the premises into flats, but it was up to the owner whether the plan would go ahead.

The planning application cites the recession as a reason why businesses are closing in that area and says the current tenants had served a break clause to leave the unit by August.

It said: “To refuse a proposal for the site’s viability would lead to its vacancy and further detriment to the local centre.”

The application sets out plans for a part three-storey and part two-storey building with three three-bedroom flats and two two-bedroom flats.

Swaythling residents John and Jean Vardy, both 78, who have been living next door since it opened, said they were sad to see the restaurant closed. Mrs Vardy said: “It’s all very sad. It’s definitely closed. They have moved all the seats, furniture, mirrors, china, everything.”

Yagnesh Gor, owner of the supermarket opposite, said he knew the leaseholders had handed back their keys but, like other neighbouring businesses, he had no idea why the dining rooms had closed or what was going to happen to the site.

Other neighbours spoke of how they had seen customers, unaware of the closure, turn up with reservations.

A sign on the door simply refers people to a neighbouring business for more information.

Norman Coulson, 80, of Westwood Gardens, Chandler’s Ford, had booked a table for a family occasion.

He found the building in darkness but has now had his £100 deposit refunded.

When contacted by the Daily Echo the leaseholder, who had been running the restaurant for three years but who would not be named, declined to comment on the reasons for the closure.

But she confirmed the restaurant had closed.

Alan Chatfield, chairman of the Southampton branch of the Federation of Small Businesses, said: “It is always disappointing to see any established small business closing down.”

Factfile

■ The Edwardian-style 68-seater restaurant was founded in 1973 by Robert Colley and has since expanded across the south, with branches in Bristol, Reading and Lechlade on Thames.

■ The restaurant was known for its dessert trolley, loaded with sweets, and six-course meals.

■ The High Road rooms were one of a number of restaurants owned by Colleys but in March 2007 the chain was put up for sale by Mr Colley because of his poor health.

■ The Southampton restaurant was valued at £400,000. After a name change it became simply The Supper Rooms.