A popular Chinese takeaway in Aberdeen will close its doors for the foreseeable future due to the mounting pressure of “impossible” energy bills.
The Royal Crown Chinese takeaway in Torry, which has been an all-time favourite of the local community for nearly 50 years, will welcome its last customers tonight.
Owner Martin Tang was forced to make the “heartbreaking” decision after his energy bills per quarter went through the roof – leaving his business at serious risk of collapse.
The 62-year-old first raised his concerns with SSE‘s new charges after his gas bills rose from £1,000 to more than £10,000 per quarter, in a matter of months.
His electricity bill also rose threefold from £1,300 last quarter to more than £4,000.
And while SSE reduced the amount last week to remedy the situation, Mr Tang will still be faced with nearly £5,000 coming out of his pocket for energy every three months.
On Sunday night, people queued up to an hour and a half at the Chinese for one last takeaway.
‘It’s breaking my heart’
With prices expected to go up even further in the next few months, Mr Tang said he had no other option but to close his beloved shop and seriously consider “calling it a day”.
He said: “We’ve been here a long time and it really saddens me that I have to go this way. I hate it. I’m shutting down the shop not because I want to, but because I’m forced to do that.
“It’s breaking my heart because I’m torn.
“My business head is telling that if I go with a new contract, I am going into the unknown and I risk losing everything that I have.
“But my heart is telling me to give it a try, because I’m that kind of person who wouldn’t just walk away easily.
“My family and I have been in this community for a long time and I hope that this will be just a temporary closure. I don’t want to give up this way.
“I feel like someone waiting at an execution table – wondering whether there is a rescue somewhere coming for me or I’m just going to drop dead under the table.”
Government urged to step up and support small business
Mr Tang added that the biggest challenge for him is the uncertainty of the cost of living crisis that has left many backed into a corner, struggling to make ends meet.
While he has always relied on a lot of support from his loyal customers, he believes that the surge in prices will also affect the flow of customers coming through his doors.
But although he admits he feels “totally at a loss”, Mr Tang said he is determined to try find a silver lining and save his business.
He said: “I’m going to think long and hard after today to see how to move forward and will be exploring all avenues.
“The one thing that keeps me going are all the friends I have made in the shop over the years. The last few days have really reminded me how kind and friendly people are.
“The door might be closing for me now, but there is a big crowd of support right behind me and I’m hoping I will pull through.
“I just hope that the government will step up and do something for the community of small businesses to provide support to people like me because I’m not the only one.”
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