A POPULAR Southampton restaurant offering a taste of Latin America is set to close within weeks.

But outgoing bosses say the new owners are poised to replace it with a new eatery likely to open next month.

Staff and customers at Cantina in Bedford Place have been told the Mexican restaurant will be closing after 16 years of trading.

The outgoing owners Ideal Collection Group offered their ten staff working there alternative roles at the firm’s other Hampshire outlets.

Now bosses taking it over will keep it open until Thursday, June 25 to honour customer bookings already made.

They are expected to briefly close for redecorating before reopening what is believed will be a salad bar.

In a statement posted on their website, Ideal Collection confirms the restaurant has changed hands ahead of the relaunch, adding: “Cantina has been part of the Bedford Place community for an amazing 16 years and we would like to say a huge thank you to every member of staff who has worked there and to every customer that walked through the doors.

Daily Echo:

“Many memories were made and much fun was had over the years. But now it is time for someone else make their mark.”

It continued: “We wish the new owners every success with their venture and hope they have as many happy years in Bedford place as we did."

Ideal Collection marketing manager Daniel Turner said nine staff members have been re-employed – most of them at the White Star Tavern in Oxford Street – but the tenth was considering a redundancy package.

He stressed Cantina’s trading had been “strong” but the company is focusing its efforts on developing other outlets such as gastro pubs and café bistros.

The company is also keeping an eye on opportunities posed by emerging developments at WestQuay Watermark, Ocean Village and the city’s Cultural Quarter, and he added: “It gives us more opportunities to look at new concepts and we are looking forward to the next few years opening new places in Southampton.”

When the Daily Echo contacted the restaurant, a member of staff said it is likely to be developed into a salad bar.

Cantina previously held live music and business functions and celebrated its tenth birthday with a big party.

 

Ideal Collection also runs No 5 Bridge Street in Winchester, The Bugle in High Street, Hamble and The Boat House in Swanwick.