Veggie restaurant serves up its final meals after 15 years

Susie's Wholefood Diner, on West Nicholson Street, a favourite eatery for vegetarians and vegans across the city, dished up its last meals on Saturday night.

The restaurant has been sold to new owners and is expected to re-open later this year as a Vietnamese noodle bar.

Owner Ian Wilson, 44, from the Meadows, said he had come to the "difficult" decision to close the diner after reaching a "crossroads" in his career.

He said the recession, along with the pressing need to refurbish the building, had convinced him it was time to move on.

He said: "It's a bit upsetting to be saying goodbye but the past 15 years have been a pleasure and I look back with fond memories.

"I felt I had reached a crossroads and the building was badly in need of a refurbishment.

"It took me quite a bit of time to decide what to do and whether to redecorate, but I have been running it for a long time and economic conditions haven't been ideal in the last couple of years.

"I was getting lots of offers to take over the lease, and I decided to take one in the end.

"The past couple of years have been hard. The cost of produce has gone up but we haven't been able to charge more so it causes a bit of a struggle. But I don't want to blame the recession too much. We've had a cracking few years."

The restaurant had looked to employ people who had experienced a difficult background or learning difficulties.

Businesswoman Mandy Wong, who has taken over the lease, said she was hoping to open a noodle bar – named Red Box – in the diner's place.

She said: "We're looking to open at the end of May, although we don't have too many details at this point.

"We'll be providing healthy fast food in a young, modern and vibrant environment."

Although Mr Wilson said the diner was not doing anything special to mark the closure, he said a lot of regular customers had booked in to enjoy a final meal.

He said: "Usually we'd be a bit quiet on the weekends, but we're very busy.

"Our regulars have been very supportive and are sorry to see us go. I wish Mandy the best of luck."