A SUCCESSFUL seafront diner will close on Monday, with owners saying that having to register for VAT has made the business “unviable”.

Nic and Rich Harris, who opened Aber Yankee American Diner on Marine Terrace in July 2014, said the decision to close was “heart-breaking”.

The couple said that the success of the diner pushed them above the threshold to register for VAT – leaving them “unable to continue”.

A business must register for VAT if its taxable turnover is more than £83,000 in a 12-month period. Failure to do so can result in fines.

In a message on social media the couple said: “After a lengthy attempt to continue serving you great American food, we have unfortunately had to make the heart-breaking decision to close Aber Yankee American Diner.

“We simply cannot continue, as our small family-run business is unable to compete with Her Majesty’s Inland Revenue, and their demands for 20 per cent of all our takings.

“We were under the impression that our government was here to ‘support small and new businesses’, but this is obviously not the case.”

“Our final day of trading will be Monday, 29 August.”

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