A VEGETARIAN town centre cafe is to close later this month.

Sprout, run by the former owner of Vfresh in King Street, Blackburn, confirmed the news on its Facebook page.

An update read: “After a really positive day, I have some sad news to announce to my wonderful customers.

“If you do not already know, Sprout Cafe will be closing its doors on March 29. It is not a decision that has come lightly.

“It has been a fantastic experience and I will treasure the memories forever.”

The cafe, above Mercer’s Toy Shop in Darwen Street, Blackburn, hosted several events, and was praised by customers for selling healthy food.

But owner Andrea Holden said it was ‘just not busy enough’.

The 45-year-old said: “I’m not making a living from it. I have been plodding through since opening two years ago and it’s been hard work.

“Some days you can’t get a seat in here it’s so busy, but it’s only for an hour. I feel, at the moment, I just want to have a break away and not think about opening my own business again.”

But Andrea said owning Sprout has been an ‘amazing experience’.

She added: “I have learnt so much and I will take that away with me “The saddest part of it all will be saying goodbye to my customers.”

Executive member for regeneration at Blackburn with Darwen Council, Coun Maureen Bateson, said: “This is really disappointing news because I know they sell excellent food and is very popular.

“I know it will be missed and I’m disappointed they could not make a go of it in the current location.

“Hopefully, with the Cathedral Quarter bringing in a hotel and office block, it should regenerate that part of Darwen Street and hopefully increase footfall.”