Thrales to close door as crunch hits trade

A Staffordshire restaurant is to close its doors after more than 20 years of business.

The Thrales restaurant, on Tamworth Street, Lichfield, is up for sale for £499,950, having been under the same management for the past 23 years.

It is understood that tough economic times and high parking charges are forcing owners to close the doors.

The freehold business is described on website www.rightmove.co.uk as occupying a 'prominent location' on the edge of the city centre, being within a listed building and having a high footfall past its doors.

Lichfield has recently been subjected to a number of businesses closing – and this is another blow for the city centre. Last week the two-story department store TJ Hughes closed its doors for the final time, with a total of 81 jobs lost. The store had been a hub for shoppers for 17 years.

Lichfied mayor Brian Bacon said closures of stores and pubs was country-wide, but it was upsetting to see. "It's a very difficult economy at the moment. We are currently waiting on the Birmingham Road development in the town to be done, which will hopefully attract some big named businesses."