AN INDEPENDENT café has closed in the aftermath of Covid-19 and amid a rise in the cost of living.

The Exclusive Cake Shop and Vintage Tea Rooms in Chichester announced the business will be put up for sale after they were unable to “recover sufficiently from the losses we endured” during the pandemic.

In an emotional statement posted to the shop's window, Two Sisters Trading Ltd, which owns the business, said: “It is with a heavy heart and after much thought and discussion that we have come to the sad decision to close our shop for table service and daily take away service.

“Unfortunately the pandemic seriously affected our ability to continue trading and although we have given it our best efforts, we have not been able to recover sufficiently from the losses we endured.

“This in addition to the rise in costs has been the nail in our proverbial coffin.”

The North Street café will still be accepting orders for bespoke cakes and hampers to be delivered, as well as offering to refund or deliver orders that have been booked and paid for to date.

“We will be offering the business up for sale and hopefully will find someone who can continue serving you as you deserve,” the statement continued.

“Once again, please accept our sincere and heartfelt apologies.

“We will certainly miss those of you who have supported us through everything and become more like friends and family during our good and bad times.”

The Exclusive Cake Shop and Vintage Tea Rooms offered a range of hand-baked and hand-decorated cupcakes and patisserie, as well as a personal bespoke wedding and celebration cake service.