News / knowle
American-style diner to close
An American-style diner in south Bristol is to close after just over two years in business.
Nikki Jaine’s Light Bites opened at Broadwalk Shopping Centre in December 2020, after starting off as a table and then a stand inside the shopping centre.
But owner Nikki says she has run out of money to keep the cafe and bakery in Knowle running.
is needed now More than ever
She said: “I’ve sunk every penny I’ve had and I got nothing left now so I’m going to have close the door unfortunately – and I’m gutted.”
A retro-themed cafe is to close after just over two years of operation – photo: Charlie Watts
The 56-year-old was able to open Light Bites using money left to her by her parents – but she now feels like she’s let them down.
She added: “I’ve lost a lot of money but the biggest regret for me is that I done this in tribute of my parents, so it’s heartbreaking.”
The 1950s-themed cafe includes a jukebox, an Audrey Hepburn cutout and old milk bottles among its decorations. It sells hot food, baked goods and milkshakes, as well as custom-made cakes.
But Nikki says she has struggled to compete with the other food businesses in Broadwalk – which include a Greggs, Subway and Parsons Bakery.
Nikki Jaine’s Light Bites is part of Broadwalk Shopping Centre, which is due for a £200m revamp – photo: Charlie Watts
The former embalmer says she has caught past staff stealing and that the cost-of-living crisis plus poor footfall in the shopping centre has also been difficult for her.
She continued: “The cost-of-living crisis has affected me massively. I even put my prices down and it still wasn’t getting anywhere.
“I know myself I’m just putting money into an empty hole and it’s not worth it anymore.
“I wish I could just lift this up and plonk it somewhere else and start again, but that’s not going to happen. It was always my dream to own an American diner.”
Nikki is now looking at selling the contents of the shop, with its last day of trading set to be Saturday.
The closure of Light Bites follows that of a gym at Broadwalk Shopping Centre, which could be knocked down and replaced with 800 flats and a new shopping street if plans are approved on March 15.
Main photo: Charlie Watts
Read next:
- Gym to close ahead of shopping centre redevelopment
- Shopping centre set to be demolished under redevelopment plans
- Knowle snooker club under threat from shopping centre redevelopment
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