It's The Perfect Excuse!

Bus Stop, a Barbadian restaurant in North Road, Brighton, has closed its doors and called in the liquidators after suffering months of uncertainty as the country prepares to leave the EU.

Owners Danny O’Shea and Dominique Osoria said customers became wary of spending money on nights out with the looming split fuelling ongoing questions over the country’s financial stability.

Funny, looking around I can see plenty of restaurants still in business. Why aren't they similarly affected?

Were these owners people with a solid business plan and a good knowledge of the market?

Dominique and Danny ran restaurants in Barbados for more than 20 years before starting Bus Stop in Brighton.

Ah. Well, Brighton isn't quite Barbados yet.

They said Brighton and Hove businesses faced a number of challenges including high rents and rates, combined with high parking and train prices deterring customers from making the journey into the city.

All things that have been around a hell of a lot longer than Brexit. And so could have been factored in.

“The city council is always talking about how great it is to have all these independent businesses but when you work in the Lanes and North Laine and see how many are regularly changing hands it shows just how hard it is.

“The council wants these businesses but they need to do more to help them.

“Deliveroo is also having a big impact. They are great for the big chains, but for small businesses it makes it almost impossible to compete.

“We invested a lot into the business and have ended up having to go into liquidation.

“There wasn’t an easy way out.”

Some might say you're just looking to find an excuse...