THE cost of living crisis has led to many businesses in Swindon closing down over the last 12 months.
As 2022 comes to an end, we're taking a look back at the shops and restaurants we loved and lost since the start of the year.
Lamaya Lebanese Kitchen and Bar
The Regent Circus fixture suddenly stopped trading and prevented new bookings in June after the company went into liquidation just over a year after it first opened.
A spokesman said at the time: "Despite our hard work, belief and enthusiasm that we will succeed, we never recovered from the effect of Covid-19.
"Thank you for all the support we have had from people in Swindon."
Funky Grilla
This bar and restaurant in the former home of Prezzo advised customers in November that it had closed temporarily so that repairs to the lighting system could be carried out.
But the business, which served up world tapas, pizza, and Korean barbecue dishes, never reopened because the parent company that owns it - DSM Holdings and Services Limited - was issued a notice for compulsory strike-off.
Company director Amar Sala said: "Due to rising costs of gas, electricity, and stock prices we cannot afford to carry on the operation. We did try to explore an avenue in change of menu, reduces ingredients prices but unfortunately this just wasn’t viable to the quality.
“I would like to thank the Swindon public for all their support, but we are all disappointed at the closure in these uncertain times.”
Dough and Co
Yet another section of Regent Circus shut for good weeks ago as the wood-fired pizza specialist abruptly fired all its staff just as it approached the one-year anniversary of opening there.
Ex-employees have since threatened legal action against the restaurant, claiming they are owed thousands in unpaid wages.
In an email seen by the Adver, bosses blamed "heavy climate around energy bills and increasing rents" for the business going belly-up.
The Confessional
The restaurant closed its base in The Crossing food court in August and has similarly been accused of not paying owed wages to former staff.
It first opened under the name of Burger Priest in 2019 and received a decent review in this paper, then changed its branding in late 2021.
Its website was listed as 'under maintenance' for months and no longer exists.
La Carbonara
The most recent shock restaurant closure in Swindon came when this popular Italian eatery on Westcott Place cancelled all its Christmas bookings earlier this month.
A short statement from the owners indicated that health issues within the family were the reason for this unexpected decision.
It added: "We are very thankful for all your support and praises over the many years of our restaurant lifetime and we are very sorry to have to let you down.
"We hope you all have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year."
Gateway Furniture
For eight years, the church group charity used sales from a Havelock Square shop to support its work providing furniture to those in need.
That space became unavailable in August and the team tried to continue from its West Swindon warehouse, but costs soared and continuing the charity in any capacity became financially impossible.
Manager Andrew Williams said: "It's been a difficult journey but we've had a miraculous provision of stock.
"I'm very thankful to have the blessing of being involved in Gateway Furniture and work with our amazing staff and volunteers."
Trespass
The outdoor clothing and equipment shop in Swindon's town centre closed down in September.
Back in October 2020, the outdoor performance clothing shop had 'everything must go' signs in its windows as the lease was coming to an end.
By December 30 of that year, inSwindon BID confirmed that negotiations had been successful and the store would stick around - but this time, it's gone for good.
Next at Home
The West Swindon branch of the retail giant bid farewell to its Mannington Retail Park home of 10 years in September.
Rumours of increasing rental costs at the retail park circulated but a spokesman for the shop did not disclose the reason for the closure.
The Costa Coffee inside the shop also closed. The unit is now a Fabb Furniture shop.
Co-op (Rodbourne Cheney)
The supermarket on Cheney Manor Road closed its doors on Christmas Eve after the site was sold to another retailer.
A spokesperson for The Midcounties Co-operative said: “We regularly review our property portfolio to ensure we are providing the best value for our members and the local communities we serve.
"As a result, the Rodbourne Cheney site was identified as not fitting with the long-term strategy of the Society and we have taken the difficult decision to sell the store.
The Post Office inside will be retained but the entire building is now closed until Tesco finishes renovation work, which is expected to be in a few months' time.
The Belt Shop
A belt shop that had been based in the Swindon Designer Outlet for 25 years closed in September.
Also known as Greens The Beltmaker or Worldbelts Ltd, it is still trading online but its unit has been turned into a Bubble Tea store.
Sheena Green said at the time: "It’s not quite the same, but we do hope to continue selling handmade belts online
"Sorry we won’t be there in person but please do remember us online or even message us for any special requests."
McCTaffs and Cornish Bakehouse
A popular town centre cafe which had moved from the Brunel Shopping Centre food court to a space on College Street closed earlier this year, initially due to staff sickness, but then did not reopen.
McCTaffs is still trading online and via its Shrivenham site.
Nearby, the Cornish Bakehouse next to the Fleming Way underpass had to close due to the multi-million-pound project to transform the main road into a bus boulevard, which will remove the underpass entirely.
Its Regent Street branch is still trading.
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