A JAPANESE restaurant in Winchester has closed its doors in Parchment Street for the last time as it prepares to relocate.

Kyoto Kitchen had been in Parchment Street for 11 years before owner Miff Kayum made the announcement that it would be moving to Bridge Street. 

Mr Kayum posted a message on the restaurant's Facebook page after its last service on Sunday July 2.

The post said: “There it is folks! Our last service at Parchment Street is over - a huge thank you to every one of you that have supported us over the last 11 years and the last few weeks here in this very special location.

“Kyoto will reopen in Bridge Street very soon but our sister restaurant @bangkokbistro and Murat and the team there will look after you. Keep posted for the latest updates!”

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In May, Mr Kayum announced that the restaurant would be moving, and since then work has been progressing on the interior of the former pub Bridge Street House.

He said: “We had a lot of clients coming to support us and share their memories. Similar to my son who is nearly 17 and worked with me, many of our clients were very young when we started Kyoto Kitchen. It has been a privilege to introduce Japanese cuisine to many people - one client commented that we inspired her son to move to Japan! We will miss this lovely old building which was a former postmaster’s house and are very grateful to our wonderful landlords Mr and Mrs Bakhaty who have been stalwart supporters for many years. 

“Work at Bridge Street continues apace with final flourishes going in at the moment.”

The new restaurant, to be called Kyoto Kitchen and Rooms, will include six bedrooms.