A Greek takeaway in Chesterfield has announced that it is closing its doors with immediate effect.
The closure of The Real Greek BBQ was announced on the takeaway’s Facebook and Instagram pages on the 15th of May, to the surprise of many of the business’s customers.
https://www.facebook.com/therealgreekbbqgreekstreetfood/posts/pfbid0mnHJQm4ZNMGNkXbQ8gSzP4EYVc4BTxGyMH7w5PAxdnpdCARZh7Wfc8FKrJ8j4kvol
Located on Chatsworth Road, the takeaway has been in business for a number of years, taking over its premises from its previous occupants, a fish and chip shop named ‘The Chippy.’
In December, The Real Greek BBQ was shortlisted for the Best Greek Restaurant and/or Takeaway at the British Kebab Awards 2023, alongside nine other nationally based restaurants, including Odyssey Greek Restaurant, which now becomes the only establishment to serve exclusively Greek food in Chesterfield.
Whilst the closure marks the end of Chesterfield’s only Greek takeaway, it does not mark the complete end of the business, as in 2022 they acquired a food van which they are going to continue to operate from on an event-by-event basis.
Konstantinos Grimpokostas, 52, who is the owner of The Real Greek BBQ, said: “It is devastating that we have had to close the doors to our takeaway shop in Chesterfield.
“We have been in business here for nearly four years and have really enjoyed being able to bring a taste of Greece to the people of Chesterfield.
“Unfortunately, the current state of the economy has meant that we have faced increased supply costs, which together with the cost of rent, which has increased as well, has meant that it has become unsustainable to keep running the shop.
“Luckily last year we made the decision to buy a food van, which we were hoping to have alongside the shop, to be able to be hired out to different events and spread the word about Greek food and our business.
“However, with the decision being taken to shut the shop, we will now be operating from the van only, which is available to be hired out for weddings, parties and other outdoor events.”
The sudden nature of the news of the takeaway’s closure came as a shock to many of its customers.
Lesley Unwin, 73, who only recently discovered the business said: “It’s a real shame. It was only a tiny shop, but that’s all it needed to be.
“The staff were always amazing and willing to entertain whilst the freshly cooked food was being prepared!
“We found the portions to be generous and the food to be full of flavour. It was great value for money, and we were really looking forward to going back and becoming regular customers.
“It’s sad that the shop has had to close, but unfortunately that’s how things are in today’s day and age, with many small independent businesses being forced to close whilst big name brands continue to thrive.”
The Real Greek BBQ are hoping to be out at a number of events in the local Chesterfield and Derbyshire area in their van this summer, with details being posted on the business’s social media pages as and when they are known.
