A long-running York deli, café and wine bar has shut after the landlord repossessed the property.
The Hairy Fig on Fossgate has been taken back by landlord the Company of Merchant Adventurers, which runs the medieval hall of the same name next door.
A letter from Harland & Co solicitors of St Saviourgate to the tenant, Kerry Brooks, is posted on the window and door of the café.
Dated yesterday (Thursday), the letter says that “the premises have been secured” and that “no person may lawfully enter on to these premises unless they have been authorised”.
In a statement, Kerry said: “The business has been struggling over the last 18 months due to the current climate and I have had to navigate the many challenges of a small, independent business in a city where costs are rising daily.
“Despite best endeavours and hard work to overcome this, we have had difficulty in moving the business forward as I had hoped and planned and I have recently made the tough decision to put the business up for sale.
“This has now been taken out of my hands as of today and I would ask for support and kindness as I navigate next steps over the coming weeks.
“I would like to thank every team member and customer who has been part of the Hairy Fig story so far for your support and engagement.”
Jim Richardson, chief executive of the Company of Merchant Adventurers, told YorkMix they hadn’t wanted to take action – but had been compelled to do so after “ten months of unpaid rent”.
He said the Company, which is a registered charity, had tried an informal resolution last July but then had no more communication with The Hairy Fig’s owner.
“We don’t want to do this. We tried to resolve the situation,” he said.
The Company’s duty was to maintain the Merchant Adventurers’ Hall, which dates back to 1357, but no rent from tenants “jeopardises our ability to do that”.
He added: “We have been left with no other option but to take legal action to recover the property and there will be separate legal action to recover the debt.”
Once the legal processes are completed, Mr Richardson said the Company would look to find a new business for the premises.
He said the street had changed significantly since The Hairy Fig first opened, becoming one of York’s food and drink streets, and that they would be looking for a business that could thrive in that environment.
The Hairy Fig was the brainchild of Sue Hardie, who used to run the Blue Bell further up Fossgate with her husband Jim.
It began as a continental delicatessen and grocers, stocking hams, health food and draught fruit balsamics.
The shop developed into a café and wine bar too as it was sold on twice, with Kerry likely to be the last owner.