Popular eatery set to close

And nightspot will also shut for good

ONE of Llanelli’s best know restaurants, Langostinos Brasserie, has shut its doors and will be followed by the complete closure of the adjacent Vista Lounge and hotel at the end of the month.

Owner Paul Jenkins, whose family have had the Castle Buildings premises on the corner of Station Road and Murray Street for the past 30 years, said lack of trade was a factor in the decision.

Langostinos served its last meals on Saturday and the next door Vista Lounge with the 20-bed three star hotel above it will close on July 27.

Mr Jenkins, who will now concentrate on the family’s other venture in the town, The Diplomat Hotel, said: “It was a family decision” to close Vista Lounge, the hotel and Langostinos - a steakhouse a grill.

Adding: “It’s sad to see it happen but it was lack of trade really that’s made this decision.

“We were busy on Saturday nights, great, but it didn’t translate for the rest of the week.”

Vista Lounge, formerly known as Le Caprice, has been a staple of Llanelli nightlife for three decades since it opened in 1989 and Mr Jenkins said he is going to make sure the Vista Lounge and hotel above it closes with a party.

“That’s the plan”, he said, “we want it to go out with a bang because it was the place to be over the years.

“It’s been a part of people’s lives, people met partners there, marriages happened from nights out there, it’s a big part of the town’s history so it deserves a good send-off, people have fond memories of the place.”

Mr Jenkins added: “It is a sad thing to think it won’t be part of Llanelli anymore but we are now moving on and going to focus on the Diplomat.”

Despite closure, there may still be hope for the venue as a going concern said Mr Jenkins: “It’s up for sale, so if there is anyone that wants to take it on, I mean it’s the only three star hotel in the town. I would like someone to come along and maybe keep it going but as a family we are stepping down.”

The Langostinos and Vista closures come just months after another high profile Llanelli venue shut.

Sosban, which opened in North Dock in 2011, had built up a reputation for its extravagant menus but closed in February.