A POPULAR Thai restaurant in Ledbury is closing just weeks after the owner's death.
Lian Day, the daughter of former owner Mark Gardner, said The New Blue Orchid on The Homend would be closing in a matter of days.
The closure will come just two months after Mr Gardner died suddenly at the age of 61.
After a temporary closure immediately following his death, the restaurant was reopened by his wife Rung Gardner.
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Mrs Day said that Mrs Gardner was "very sad" to be closing the restaurant and thanked the community for their support.
She did not publicly disclose the reason for the restaurant's closure.
In a public post on Facebook, Mrs Day said: "This is a difficult post to share, but here it goes.
"Sadly, The New Blue Orchid will close it's doors for the final time on the evening of Sunday September 21 (it will still be open as per opening times on this date).
"Following my dad Mark's passing, it has been an extremely difficult time and Rung would like to thank everyone who has continued to support her, my dad and the restaurant.
"I know I speak for both of them when I say they loved setting up in Ledbury and being at the heart of the community for so many years.
"Their success at both The New (and old) Blue Orchid is down to the support of the local people, and Rung is very sad to have to permanently close the doors on their beloved restaurant. Thank you again."
Mr Gardner re-opened the restaurant on The Homend in 2022, having returned to Ledbury after living in Thailand. Previously, the restaurant had been based on the High Street.
In a tribute to her father, Mrs Day said he was a calm and caring man with a variety of interests, including motorcycling and collecting old video games and consoles.
Following the announcement of his death, there was an outpouring of tributes from customers and friends on social media, remembering Mr Gardner as a "true gent" and someone who "always made you feel like you were his most important customer".
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