THERE has been disappointment after a city centre restaurant announced it was ending its popular 'benches'.

Friar Street Kitchen introduced the benches - which feature a mixture of food for a family to enjoy - seven years ago. 

But the Friar Street-based business has now announced on its Facebook page that the benches are being axed. 

On the Facebook post, the restaurant said: "After much deliberation we’ve decided as a business to stop doing the picnic benches at the end of the summer, we’ve done them for over seven years and to be completely honest our passion for them has gone.

"We’ve loved how much joy they bring to you all and we’re truly honoured to have provided them for all your special occasions. 

"The look on your faces when we bring them out has really filled our hearts and we’re so grateful for your support over the years.

 

"Together we’ve been to some amazing places and we truly have a passion for food, we want to share with you our experiences with food and gather our passion together for cooking.

"We’re a small, neighbourhood bistro and going forward we want to reflect that in our food and make your experience here everything you want it to be and more."

The firm shared details on the last ever bench offering, featuring a beef burger, chips, onion rings, sausage and a triple chocolate cookie - which begins on Wednesday, (June 21) running to September 9. 

Worcester food lovers flooded the post with messages of sadness one saying: "Such a shame. 

"Everyone loved them and are sad to see them go. I understand your passion for them has gone but what about your customers’ passion for them?

"They were so unique and what set you apart."

We approached the bistro asking if there had been thoughts on a U-turn, due to the response. 

 

A spokesperson said: "There were many factors to decide to stop offering them, supply and demand being a huge aspect.

"Sadly it’s a minority now compared to what it used to be.

"They’ve run their course and have been fantastic to us as a business and also our loyal and wonderful customers, times have changed and with the ever-spiralling costs we would have no choice but to increase the cost and reduce the quality to make them financially viable, none of which we are willing to do.

"We’re shortly going to be changing our menu to move with the times and keep our restaurant focused on quality food reflecting our passion for excellent, local produce."