A POPULAR cafe in Helensburgh has closed its doors with immediate effect.

The closure of the Park Pavilion Cafe and Kiosk in Hermitage Park was announced in a social media post in the early hours of Monday.

The operators of the facility blamed "unsurmountable issues with the building and rising maintenance costs".

The facility opened in May 2021 under the direction of chef Jamie Nicolson.

A spokesperson said the decision had not been an easy one and thanked members of the public for their support over the last three years.

Writing on their Facebook page, the spokesperson said: "Due to what we believe to be unsurmountable issues with the building and rising maintenance costs, the Pavilion has ceased to trade.

"This is not a decision that has been easy, and would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has supported us over the past few years.

"In time, we hope to find another venue to pick up where we left off."

They signed off with: "Best wishes, Team Pavilion."

The cafe and Argyll and Bute Council, who own the building, have both been approached for comment.

Reacting to the news, residents expressed their shock and sadness.

One wrote: "So sorry to hear this Jamie. You put your heart and soul into creating a lovely wee haven with delicious food and a great atmosphere. Look forward to supporting you in your next venue. Wishing you the best."

And another cusomer said: "Sad news. We enjoyed coming to the cafe, food and service was always lovely. Best of luck with your next venture."

A third added: "So sad to hear this. I have loved visiting for brunch, lunch, coffee and cards. Great food and lovely staff. What a loss to the town. Good luck for the future."

READ MORE: Helensburgh chef unveils café and kiosk plans for Hermitage Park pavilion

Last week the Advertiser revealed that the Riverhill Courtyard restaurant in West Princes Street is being put up for sale in a further shake-up of the local hospitality sector.

When Mr Nicolson opened the Park Pavilion cafe three years ago, he said it was ideal because his son could play in Hermitage Park "while I'm working my butt off".

He grew up in Helensburgh before moving to Portugal when he was eight years old, and worked in the restaurant trade for more than 20 years.

His career started at Cameron House Hotel on Loch Lomond and then he did abstint with the legendary Roux brothers at the Michelin starred Le Gavroche in London.

Mr Nicolson also spent time at Glasgow’s esteemed One Devonshire Gardens, and was executive head chef at Loch Fyne Oyster Bar in Cairndow.

He told the Advertiser before he opened the local cafe: “It’s mine, which is very important to me, and it fits with my life. Lifestyle is very important to me, having a son.

“Having worked in places doing 16-hour days non-stop I want to try and get away from that and I don’t want my staff to be doing that either. The park offers me that quality of life.

“Businesses are organic, they need to go their own way, especially restaurants, so it’s exciting for me just to see what way this is going to go.

“I also have plans for a cook school in year two or year three.

“The community hall is attached to my restaurant so I’m going to use that space, and I’ve got a kitchen garden also.

“The idea is to take children up to the kitchen garden and let them have some sort of relationship with food - pick the food, pick the fruit and the vegetables and then come down to the pavilion and cook it.

“It’s not just a restaurant to me, it’s a hub where the community can get involved and learn about food, especially children because children have been so detached from food for a long time, especially in this country unfortunately.”