A SOUTH Essex takeaway site has announced it will be closing down for the final time due to the rising costs.

Chunky’s Burgers, in Lower Park Road, Wickford, posted in a statement, they will be closing at the end of January, due to not being able to “afford to keep trading”.

The business opened almost two years ago and is popular for their quality burgers on offer.

READ MORE >> 'Free spirit' cyclist dies after spending five days in coma after Westcliff crash

It was a delivery / takeaway service only, but the owner, Sam Remblance, did have dreams to one day make it a high street restaurant too.

Mr Remblance, from Wickford, said catering has always been a part of his and his family’s life.

In a statement on Facebook, the owner, Sam Remblance, wrote: “I write this with huge upset and disappointment that we have to announce our closure at the end of January.

“We have tried restricting the business to accommodate rising costs, but we simply cannot afford to keep trading on the current climate.

“Chunky’s was a personal dream of mine and I still want to open a high street restaurant one day, but I cannot take the risk in this climate.

“You may see us again in a few years when the market stabilises.

“So, you have three weeks left of ordering Chunky’s but after we are gone. But I hope we will be back when the climate allows.”

Mr Remblance told the Echo how due to the current climate costs for running the business had doubled making it “impossible” to continue.

He added: “We grew into a busy takeaway in a very short space of time, but at the end of 2022 the economy had taken a bit hit and the cost of produce had hit the roof.

“This made it impossible for us to make a profit, and so we have had to close.

“It was not an easy decision to make, as it is a long-standing dream of my to have a proper burger place, but unfortunately it was not meant to be.”

Many residents of Wickford expressed their disappointment at the news of the closure and wished the owners “every success for the future”.

Andrew Baggott, leader of Basildon Council, added: “It is always sad to see any business go.

“It is an unfortunate sign of the current situation we are in, in the UK at the moment.

“Thing is what you want to do is hope that the individuals are able to pick themselves up after this, dust themselves off, and restart, as you don’t ever want to see anyone’s business fail.”