Restaurant closes suddenly
A POPULAR Ipswich restaurant has closed in mysterious circumstances leaving one customer potentially �300 out of pocket.
A POPULAR Ipswich restaurant has closed in mysterious circumstances leaving one customer potentially �300 out of pocket.
The door is shut and the blinds are firmly drawn at The Vanilla Pod, in Orwell Place, while the eatery's telephone line is no longer accepting incoming calls.
However, there is no mention of any closure on the restaurant's website, nor is there any sign on the front door indicating whether The Vanilla Pod will reopen.
It is believed the restaurant is owned by Matthew and Jonathan Tindall, who were unavailable for comment today.
The apparent closure has come as a blow to Susan Clarke, who paid a �300 deposit towards a 28-person booking for her mother's 70th birthday celebration.
They had planned to visit the restaurant on May 15, when soul singer Irie J was due to perform to diners.
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Mrs Clarke said: “I paid the money on February 9 and the last correspondence I had was on March 10 after I reduced the party from 30 people to 28.
“I was looking on Irie J's website and it said his appearance at the Vanilla Pod was cancelled because the restaurant was no longer trading.
“Had I not looked, I would not have known and we would have all turned up on the night.
“I tried to phone the restaurant but the number won't accept incoming calls.
“Now we don't know what's happening.”
The Vanilla Pod, formerly Scotts Bar and Brasserie, is renowned as one of Ipswich's top restaurants and is described on its website as “an exciting dining experience, with an extensive modern menu”.
No one from the restaurant was available for comment.
Have you been affected by the closure? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk
