THE owner of popular American-themed diner Simply Blues has told how he made the decision to close because he struggled to find experienced staff.

John Coyston, 68, will shut the 37-year-old restaurant, in London Road, Leigh, on March 31 - and is currently looking for a buyer for the sister branch in Hornchurch.

He put the closure down to not being able to employ enough quality.

He said: “We have had some staff who have not been the right calibre. There are a few good staff, but not enough to run a restaurant. It’s a big problem, but what can I do? I have to pay the bills.”

The Simply Blues website states that both branches have been closing on Mondays and Tuesdays lately “due to staff shortages.”

Simply Blues was initially opened in 1981 by Clive Thompson, who currently owns the Lion Inn in Chelmsford.

Mr Coysten, from Billericay, took over Simply Blues in 1996, but his history with the diner goes back longer than that. His other firm, John Coysten Meats in Basildon, has been supplying Simply Blues with its meat since 1981. “All the original Simply Blues staff used to stop off at my factory and I’d have breakfast with them,” he recalled. “They were fun times.”

Mr Coysten praises Mr Thompson as being a “true restauranteur”. He said: “He is the clever one. In its 80s heyday, Simply Blues used to attract 1,000 people a week, which is amazing as it’s only a small restaurant.”

One of many Leigh residents who are sad to see Simply Blues go is Leigh town councillor Caroline Parker, who even has a granddaughter named Blue. “We used to tell her she was named after the restaurant!” she said. “I have many happy memories of family occasions spent there. I think the problem is there are just too many restaurants these days.” In Leigh, every time another shop closes, a restaurant, bar or café opens up in its place. They’re doing each other out of business. If these eateries do manage to stay open, it’s only because they’re pushing someone else out of town. Its tragic.”

Mr Coysten said he was struggling to compete with chain restaurants and added that the firm who bought the site would open it as an Italian.