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Nottingham institution Brown Betty's is to close after 32 years – and the cafe is set to become a sports bar.

The tiny breakfast and lunchtime haunt in St James's Street is the city centre's oldest family-run cafe.

Winding down, the business no longer opens on Saturdays and the final day of serving its famous egg and bacon cobs and Sloppy Joes will be June 23.

Opened by matriarch Elizabeth Elliott in 1985, husband Brian, 69, and sons James, 43, and Boyd, 41, can also be found behind the counter.A handwritten message in the window broke the news that will shock Brown Betty's fans. It reads:

"Bye bye Nottingham. Make the most of Brown Betty's. Just a short note. Yes it's true we will be closing at the end of June and saying farewell to Nottingham a month before Betty retires."

The decision was made after neighbours Riley's Sports Bar made them for an offer for the building in a bid to expand – and the time was right.

Elizabeth said: "We have lots of lovely, lovely customers that we will miss."

But the family won't miss everyone, as she added: "We have had abuse. What was happening at night-time is now happening in the day. I don't want my family here any more.

"Nottingham is not what it used to be. The atmosphere has changed. You don't know who is coming through the door. It's not the same city."

The family had a dig at Nottingham City Council for not helping the business to grow and overlooking St James's Street – despite it being one of the main arteries of the Old Market Square.

Boyd, himself a county councillor, said: "I don't think the city council is proactive. Market Square is the glittering prize for the council and we are like a poor relation.

"Over 32 years it has undulated. It has had good times and hopefully it will again."

With their parents retiring, Boyd and James said they will be looking for other employment – but not in same industry.

Fans of Brown Betty's are gutted by the news, describing it as "sad times" on Facebook.

Nazlee Jordan said: "Wow end of an era!! God Bless Betty and her scrumpy sangers xx."

Jim Le Trucker said: "Nooooooooo!! Don't take away my Sloppy Joes!!"

Radio presenter Al Booth reacted: " Nooooooo! I happily gained 2 stone visiting here during my Trent FM days. Still the best way to cure a hangover and the best Christmas sandwich anywhere, ever. I'm definitely getting some chicken and rice next week. All the best for the future."

Its popularity and five star ratings sent the cafe soaring to the number one spot in Nottingham on TripAdvisor for a spell.

The Nottingham Post's restaurant reviewer Food Sleuth said: "Brown Betty's wasn't the biggest café in Nottingham but its closure will leave a huge hole. I've lunched several times on their Sloppy Joes, mega-salads and spicy chicken and rice specials, all high-value belly-busters, full of flavour.

"But it's not just the food that regulars will miss. It's the over-the-counter banter and the sociability of strangers crammed around those two little tables. They will all miss the dedicated, welcoming Elliott family, who over the years invested a whole lot of love in Brown Betty's."

A Nottingham City Council spokesman said: "We are sad to hear that a local favourite and family owned cafe like Brown Betty's is closing after serving customers for over 30 years.

"We're proud of the contribution which Nottingham's many independent local traders make to the city's economy and will continue to do what we can to support them to help them thrive."