A TROWBRIDGE café, bar and grill is set to close with the loss of ten staff jobs unless a buyer can be found.

John Paine, 35, the owner of The Garden, in Fore Street, says he intends to close the business because of “family reasons”.

Mr Paine’s fiancée Gemma Hector, 30, gave birth to their first child, Millie, 15 months ago.

Mr Paine also owns The Garden restaurant in Chippenham, which re-opened last March after being damaged by a fire.

He says running the two restaurants means he is spending less time with his fiancée and their daughter.

“The Trowbridge restaurant opened in June 2016 following a fire at the Chippenham café, bar and grill.

“But now the Chippenham restaurant has re-opened, I need to spend more time with my family.

“I’m trying to achieve a better work/life balance and that means the Trowbridge restaurant has to go,” he said.

The Trowbridge restaurant employs ten staff who have already been told of the possibility that it may have to close.

However, Mr Paine is hopeful of being able to find a buyer for the business as a ‘going concern’.

“I am looking to sell the business and/or the lease as soon as possible but if I don’t I will have to close it down shortly.”

As well as Mr Paine having the two restaurants, Miss Hector also runs a teaching supply agency.

Mr Paine added: “It’s really very sad because we’ve had a fantastic time in Trowbridge. The business has been really successful and we have some fantastic customers.

“I had a difficult meeting with the staff but they have been very understanding. I am really grateful for everything they have done for the business and I am sad that our relationship is coming to an end.

“Unfortunately, none of them is in a financial position to take on the restaurant so we will have to find a buyer or close it down.”

Mr Paine invested more than £100,000 in the fixtures and fittings when he started the restaurant. He says he is ‘open to offers’ from prospective buyers.

Anyone interested should contact Mr Paine by email at jppaine@hotmail.co.uk.