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Bistro in Sheppey named after sunken ship suddenly shuts after just 80 days

19:35, 22 September 2023

updated: 19:42, 22 September 2023

A bistro named after a sunken warship has ceased trading inside a hotel after opening for just 80 days.

Monty’s Bistro, which opened in The Abbey in Minster on Sheppey in July, has cited “bad business” for the unexpected closure.

Monty's Bistro served customers food at the Abbey Hotel on Sheppey
Monty's Bistro served customers food at the Abbey Hotel on Sheppey

Before suddenly shutting, the spot was formerly named after the SS Montgomery – an American cargo ship built during the Second World War.

The vessel was wrecked off Sheerness in August 1944 and has become something of a tourist attraction.

Monty’s opened on Saturday, July 1, and was staffed by the hotel’s existing catering team.

In a post made to Facebook this afternoon a spokesman for the eatery said: “It is with great regret and sadness that Monty's Bistro (ceased) to trade as from yesterday.

Abbey Hotel in Minster, Sheppey
Abbey Hotel in Minster, Sheppey

“We wish to thank you for all the love and support.

“All future events and bookings are still going ahead under The Abbey Hotel as they have taken it over.

“Please contact the hotel for any information.”

A few weeks after it opened one of KentOnline’s reporters reviewed the bistro.

He claimed the food was a “winner” and “eased his fears of hotel food.”

The calzone served at Monty’s Bistro
The calzone served at Monty’s Bistro

The Abbey Hotel was unable to state why Monty’s Bistro had closed.

A staff member said: “Monty’s Bistro has now finished, if you need to make any bookings or amend any bookings please contact the Abbey Hotel.

“I believe it lasted 80 days but the Abbey has always had a restaurant, long before Monty’s Bistro opened, so if you need to make a booking call us, don’t worry for Monty’s anymore.”

A spokesman for the bistro said she was unable to say too much due to legal reasons.

She said: “We had no choice but to close due to bad business.

“We’ve found it impossible to do business but I can’t go into any more details at the moment due to legal reasons.”

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