WALES’S first table tennis-themed bar – in Aberystwyth – is closing after just 20 months with the loss of 12 jobs as the owners admit their “brave” attempt at something different didn’t work.

Wiff Waff opened in Market Street in September 2014 as the latest venture from Aberystwyth Chamber of Commerce chair Chris Mackenzie-Grieve and his wife Sam.

The bar employed 20 staff when it first opened, with around half of those jobs full-time positions.

But Mr and Mrs Mackenzie-Grieve, who also own the MGs coffee shop in town, have announced that the bar will close on Thursday, 26 May.

They said it was a “brave attempt to try to bring something different to Aber”, but admitted it had not been successful.

In a statement on Facebook they thanked staff and customers, saying: “We have tried our very best to make the business work, but now have to call it a day. We feel it was a brave attempt to try to bring something different to Aber, but we got it wrong. As in all business knowing when to give up is as important as knowing when to start.

“We thank every single person who has crossed the threshold, ate our food, drank with us and bashed those little white balls around, we hope you enjoyed yourselves. We have enjoyed serving you and, whilst a costly experience, it is still an experience.”

Mr Mackenzie-Grieve told the Cambrian News they employed 12 full-time and part-time workers and the premises were going to be used by another businesss, but would not say what was being planned.

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