“We’ve had the rug pulled from under us” - Bristol restaurant on BBC’s Top Takeaways to close

One of Bristol’s most highly rated restaurants has announced it will be closing due to the cost of living crisis.

Hoba Kebab featured on BBC Two’s Britain’s Best Takeaways earlier this year, in May. The popular diner is based in the city centre, St Augustine’s Parade, a few doors down from the Hippodrome. It was first launched as a stall in 2017 that traded in several local food markets across Bristol, before taking over the kitchens of various pubs and bars - eventually finding its permanent site in the old Pizza Hut restaurant on the parade.

But this week, owners, Hope Bainbridge and Annie Faulkner, have shared an emotional farewell message on social media, explaining to its customers that the rising costs of energy has “pulled the rug” from under the business.

It read: “Sadly, Hoba has been hit hard by the energy crisis. Despite all the advice, negotiations and battles we’ve fought, we cannot find a way to move past our situation and absorb these costs.

“Not only this, the coming months are looking so hard for hospitality with rising costs from suppliers and the cost of living crisis affecting public spending. All things considered, we’ve come to the very very sad conclusion that we have to close.

“Simply, we’ve had the rug pulled from under us. We have survived and thrived throughout our life, adapting and evolving, growing Hoba into something magical and greatly loved - we even made it on the blooming telly.

“We are heartbroken, Hoba was a dream come true - we can’t imagine a life without it. But this energy crisis has happened and we have to accept our reality. We’ll go out with a bang and our heads held high. Thank you for all the love and support over the years.”

The Berlin-inspired takeaway will close its doors on Friday (December 23) for the final time.