Basildon’s American-style restaurant Roadhouse the Diner in North Gunnels closed permanently on Sunday, blaming a business rates hike.

The owner, Paul Croucher 63, is devastated about the closure. The restaurant was located near Hovefields Avenue before he moved to North Gunnels in December 2015.

Mr Croucher received notice from the Valuation Office in early 2016 telling him of the rates increase from £11,000 in December 2015 to £17,000 in 2016.

He appealed against the hike to Valuation Office, arguing his small business could not afford it. He also contested his property should be exempt because it was unoccupied for nearly five months due to renovations.

The property had been empty for 17 years. Mr Croucher said the building really needed a facelift. The restaurant opened in May 2016.

He said: “It was running very well and it was a new venture in this location. It was doing well until Christmas last year. Then after Christmas the whole town just seemed to have gone very quiet. The number of people coming into the town dropped.”

“Visitor numbers tailed off and people aren’t spending money. If they’re eating out they go to the Festival Leisure Park.

“It’s just crazy. If this restaurant was in the middle of Chelmsford we would be buzzing. It’s just ridiculous for what was a thriving town centre, it’s just becoming a ghost town.”

He has worked hard to keep his business thriving but luck was not on his side.

Mr Croucher added: “I talked to council to find about how to put signs in the town centre but they haven’t back to me about the department who would deal with it.”

He also sent out two employees to hand out leaflets but a man took them to the council saying he could be prosecuted as they need a permit for handing out leaflets.

“It’s everything stacked up against the retailer.”

When the closure was announced, the restaurant received 200 messages from loyal customers expressing their love for the food and how they will miss the restaurant.

Mr Croucher said it is also unfortunate he will not be able to run Christmas meals for the elderly anymore.

He said: “It’s a shame it’s impacted on the old people who used to come. We have 25 to 45 people coming to Christmas dinners each year and it’s one of the biggest regrets because it’s one way to give back to the community.”

“It’s a really sad time but that’s just life.”

Mr Croucher has not heard back from Valuation Office about the appeal against the rates hike.