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A popular Canterbury city centre restaurant is set to close after seven years trading in the busy high street.

Belgian bar and restaurant La Trappiste on the corner of Sun Street and Guildhall Street will close its doors for the final time next week, staff have told Kent Live.

The busy restaurant back opened in 2010 in the former Deakin’s outfitters and was a popular spot for coffee, after work drinks and speciality bread in the centre.

Owners pumped £250,000 into a refurbishment of the building when they took it on, but "crippling business rates" are thought to be the reason behind the closure, according to current employees.

A member of staff who did not wish to be named told Kent Live that the bar is set to close on Tuesday, October 3 and said the news was broken to them just two weeks ago.

They said: "We have been given two and a half weeks notice.

"It was a bit of a shock but we all think it's because of the high business rates around this part of Canterbury."

Although it looks like the busy Sun Street venue won't be closed for long as another business is already interested in snapping up the unit.

The staff member added: "Apparently the building has already been bought and the new owner is planning to keep all of the beers, so it's probably some kind of bar or resaurant."

Burgate Pizza restaurant, Chapter is thought to have already lodged their interest in the soon to be vacant building.

The news of the departure comes as Creams Cafe has moved into the old Mrs Jones Kitchen on Palace Street, kitting it out with incredible steam-punk decor.