AN award-winning restaurant which has served the Barnsley community for the last decade is set to close its doors for the last time this weekend after the business became overcome with debt.
Alam’s Lounge in Higham is one of the town’s most popular Indian restaurants and has picked up a variety of awards, including a prestigious Trip Advisor title.
Owner Abbey Khan has also made a name for himself through his fundraising and charity work, which culminated in him being named a Proud of Barnsley winner.
But his business has fallen flat in recent year due to a number of issues - and he says that he will close the restaurant’s doors for the final time on Sunday.
He told the Chronicle: “I feel like it’s 11 years of hard work and sacrifices from myself and my family that have gone down the drain.
“It’s basically done now.
“We’re in a substantial amount of debt.
“I’m fairly certain that Sunday will be our last day.
“I wish that I’d have let everyone know this sooner then maybe we could have done something about it.
“But hindsight’s a wonderful thing.
“I want to give a huge shout out to my daughter Jannah, she’s been my rock and has done so well taking over the business - without her we’d have probably had to close last year.”
Recent roadworks along Higham Common Road have caused the business problems, with passers-by struggling to access the restaurant and believing the business is closed due to fencing around the car park.
Abbey said that business was down 40 per cent as a result of the roadworks, but admits there’s more to it than that.
He added: “The cost-of-living crisis has had an impact.
“So has the cost of utilities with things like energy.
“The Covid pandemic definitely had an impact as well.
“And I don’t want to make it political - I’ve always been a Labour supporter - but with taxes increasing it’s been really hard.
“Our costs have doubled, maybe even tripled to where they were last year.
“The roadworks have had an impact but it’s probably just the nail in the coffin.”
And despite the heartbreak of the restaurant closing down, Abbey says he and his family hold so many fantastic memories of their time.
“Barnsley folk have been absolutely brilliant, they’ve come here in their droves,” he added.
“I’ve tried my best.
“I take great pride in what we’ve done but we are devastated.
“I need to take the positives from this experience - I don’t want the negatives.
“We’ve tried and we can walk away this Sunday with our heads held high.”
Abbey says he knows he won’t get a large amount of money for his business, and he’s finally looking forward to having some time with his family.
He said: “I’m going to take some time for myself know.
“The stress of all this has affected my physical and mental health.
“My staff are like my family and I love them.
“And I have another family at home I need to look after.
“We’ll be getting a pittance for the business - nowhere near what it’s worth - but we want it to go to someone who has the same ethos as us.
“I’m hoping we’ll get some people coming over this weekend for a big sign off - just to say thank you.”
