A POPULAR tea room has closed after the owner reluctantly decided to leave Halstead High Street.

The Quinteassential Tea Shop closed it’s doors this week after being a much loved facility in the centre of the High Street since early 2014.

Owner Michael Lamb, 65, decided to close the shop in light of his upcoming surgery, but it is not a decision he took lightly.

He said: “Were were very happy on the High Street, but unfortunately I have had to step away.

“The truth is, it would not have been viable financially to keep it open while I didn’t know how long I’d be off. I am 65 after all.

“I sat down and looked at it, and decided I’m not a superhero.

“To be honest, the shop didn’t make a fortune, but I really enjoyed it as a venture.

“I met some fantastic people, young and old, and I have always been supported.”

He told the Gazette it is a time he will always cherish.

He said:“I actually enjoyed my time so much, I have kept all the plates and cups as a bit of a memento.

“I was very reluctant to walk away, it wasn’t a failure at all.

After all, we did fight off the likes of Costa, and the countless other tea shops in the town.

“I remember a few years ago when Costa opened, everyone who came in would say, what are you going to do?

“It didn’t make a blind bit of difference, I think I worked out it lost me 1p a week, my coffee was always better quality though, of course.”