A POPULAR Leigh restaurant is set to close and has been placed on the market after its owners stand down after 11 years to "travel the world".

Vegan restaurant, the Oaktree on Leigh Road, first opened its doors in 2013 by husband and wife Jim and Samantha Anderson.

Over the last decade the restaurant has gone from strength-to-strength and is now listed as one of the top ten best restaurants in Leigh according to TripAdvisor.

However, the couple have confirmed they are selling the restaurant as they prepare to take a break from work and begin travelling.

The business has now been listed on Rightmove for £149,000.

Jim said: “It is bitter sweet. But we are really excited for our next adventure.

“We have loved owning The Oaktree Restaurant but it has been 11 years and we are ready for a new challenge.

“We have navigated through Covid, a cost of living crisis, the effects of the war in Ukraine, and have still come back stronger.

“But it is someone else’s time now.

“The world is calling and we want to get out there and see as much of it as we can.”

When the restaurant first opened, the couple would serve just 11 covers a day with two staff members.

Now, 11 years on, they average 65 covers with 20 staff members.

The restaurant will remain open and run by Jim and Samantha until it is sold.

Jim added: “It will be strange watching someone else run The Oaktree as I am a bit of a control freak.

“But the time is right.

“I would love to see someone come in with the same passion that we have for plant-based food.

“We only put it on the market yesterday and already have interest so fingers crossed the right people are out there.

“We will be here for as long as it takes to sell and we are looking forward to enjoying a final summer at The Oaktree.”

To view the listing, visit https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/150655211