A POPULAR canalside cafe will close its doors for the final time this weekend.

The Canal View Cafe, on the Leeds and Liverpool towpath just off Hermitage Street, Rishton, will cease trading on Saturday.

Bosses at the venue, which only opened in December, released a statement on its website, which read: “It is with a heavy heart we need to let you know that Saturday, August 31, will be the last day the cafe will be open for business.

“This is not a decision we have taken lightly and we have tried to keep the cafe open, but ultimately it’s out of our hands.”

The news shocked patrons of the cafe, which was packed under the warm sun yesterday afternoon. Staff served men fishing on the canal with cold bottles of water and children’s drawings and origami adorned the walls. Swans, cygnets and ducks are often said to join customers as they enjoy lunch outside on the cobbled pavement.

When approached by the Lancashire Telegraph yesterday, the general manager, known only as Mick, declined to comment, except to confirm the homely eaterie was closing for ‘business reasons between me and my partner’.

Rishton councillor Ken Moss said he had heard good things about the cafe. He said: “It’s underneath what used to be an Italian restaurant. I’m surprised it’s shutting because it has received good reviews.

“It’s a shame to see any business shut and everybody speaks so highly of it. The owner will have his reasons for closing but it’s sad to see it shut. It enhanced the canal and it is not brilliant news.”

Resident Paul Wilkinson said it was ‘terrible news’ the cafe was closing.

Sharon Day said she was ‘gutted’ while Catherine Howard added: “That’s terrible news, is there nothing we can do?”