AN ABERYSTWYTH café is shutting down in October with the loss of at least 14 jobs, as owners blame the influx of large chain coffee shops into the town and high overheads.

The owners of MG’s Café on Chalybeate Street - which has had a presence in the town for 13 years - announced its closure on social media, saying the business is “not sustainable”.

Chris and Sam Mackenzie-Grieve said that the closure decision was made with “profound sadness”.

In a Facebook post on Tuesday the owners, who previously had premises further down Chalybeate Street and in Great Darkgate Street, said that “independents will eventually lose out” to the big chains, and that MG’s is “no longer viable”.

Big names to arrive on Aberystwyth’s streets in recent years include Starbucks, Caffe Nero, Coffee #1 and Costa Coffee.

Mr Mackenzie-Grieve told the Cambrian News: “The footfall in Aberystwyth is in decline and yet the number of outlets is ever increasing.

“We have spent the last 12 years evolving the business, trying to keep abreast of the latest trends whilst at the same time maintaining close links to other small businesses in Aberystwyth and the Welsh language.

See this week’s south editions for the full story, in shops and online now