A BAGEL restaurant will close today after almost seven years of serving customers.

Bagelman’s outlet at Brighton Station will close at 3pm this afternoon after being evicted due to falling behind on rent payments.

Despite rent discounts given by landlords Govia Thameslink Railway during the pandemic, Bagelman went into administration in March this year, with the core business being sold as a going concern.

Jo Prior, owner of Bagelman Ltd, said: “We would like to say a massive thank you to all our loyal customers who have supported us during the last nearly seven years we have been at the station.”

She said that the company is looking for a new place to relocate to, while Bagelman’s other outlets in Bond Street and Church Road will remain open.

Ms Prior said: “Our main priority has been to avoid job losses and we are pleased that we were able to offer most of our station team jobs at our other two sites, where we are recovering well post-pandemic.

“With the backing of our new investor, we are looking for a replacement site near the train station.

“We love nothing more than making high quality, nutritious and delicious bagels for the residents of, and visitors to, our city and we will continue to do so for many years to come.”

The business had been due to be evicted last month but was granted an extra four weeks rent-free by Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR), who own Brighton Station.

After Bagelman Ltd went into administration in March the business was sold as a going concern to a new company, Hillingdon Retail Limited. Jo Prior is one of two directors in this new company.

David Gornall, GTR’s commercial director, said: “We have been very sympathetic to Bagelman Limited during the pandemic, agreeing to a substantial discount on its rent and continuing its tenancy through three periods when it fell into arrears.

“However, the company has now gone into administration with significant debts, and we are not prepared to risk granting a tenancy to this particular business given its relationship with, and the rent arrears history of, Bagelman Limited.

"To allow the current occupant additional time to move out, we have allowed the business a four-week rent-free licence."