A POPULAR pizzeria has fallen victim to the cost-of-living crisis and announced it’s closed its doors for good.
Cowabunga Pizza was set up by brothers-in-law Tom Long and Tom Bell in 2018 out of a unit in Yorick Road, West Mersea, and moved to its home in Moorside, Colchester, in 2021.
The two Tom’s announced the closure to their 3,000 Facebook followers.
The pair said: “Goodbye friends! We've stretched our last base, sliced our last pizza, turned off the lights and locked the doors.
“Thank you to every single one of you that's visited, sent a message or just supported us in any way over the last four and a half years. There's way too many of you to list but you all know who you are.”
Outlining the reasons for the closure, the business owners added: “The truth is that everything is a bit of a bonfire and with massively reduced footfall, and eyewatering business and personal costs, there just wasn't a sustainable way to make it work in this climate.
“It's tragic when you've got an amazing thing, but even the best can't make magic.”
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The business had gone from strength to strength despite the Covid pandemic, launching DIY kits for children to craft their own dishes at home.
Tom and Tom will be keeping their social media channels open for catering enquiries and urge their customers to “drop them a line”.
Both are off to pastures new, with them confirming: “Big Tom is off to join the wonderful gang over at Black Jacket Events so catch him flitting between various operations there including The Flag, Wivenhoe.
“Little Tom is picking up the tools and returning to his former life of plastering so drop a line if you need a highly skilled plasterer.”
They signed off by acknowledging their loyal customers, saying: “You're all amazing and we love you all. Bye.”
Dozens of gutted customers took to the comments, with one kind diner saying: “Loved you guys over at Mersea.
“Nearly made me bankrupt the amount I spent there to be honest but great pizza and great guys. Sadly missed. All the best.”
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