SAGE restaurant at Spalding’s Red Lion Quarter is to close next month.
The eaterie, which is used as a training ground for students of Boston College’s food-related courses, will close at the end of October due to a lack of support.
It will still be available for hire for functions such as private parties, business breakfasts and wedding receptions.
But the restaurant’s management has come under fire from retail expert and president of Spalding and District Area Chamber of Commerce Phil Scarlett, who claims not enough has been done to ensure its success.
He said: “I am not sure its offering was right for the people of Spalding.
“They were trying to tempt people in for morning coffee, but the tables were all set up for lunch, so it was not inviting.
“I am not sure they made the most of it.
“When you have something that is not working you need to review it and put things in place to put it right.
“Have they actually looked at what is wrong and how they could make it right? Did they consider a relaunch?
“I am very disappointed and sad to hear it has come to this.”
Amanda Mosek, principal of Boston Regional College, which runs the Sage restaurant, echoed Mr Scarlett’s sadness.
She said: “We are very grateful to the people from Spalding who have supported Sage over the last 18 months.
“We know that we have had some very loyal customers who have really enjoyed the fantastic food and high levels of service that Sage has offered.
“Unfortunately there have not been enough customers to enable us to break even on the venture and despite great efforts by the team, the restaurant has continued to make big losses which we cannot sustain.”
Bookings will continue to be taken for Sage until the end of October and private bookings after this time will be honoured.
Students in the middle of training courses will transfer to Boston College or alternative placements will be found for them in Spalding.
The closure is the latest disappointment for the town’s troubled Red Lion Quarter – earlier this year, just 12 months after it opened to great fanfare in April 2011, the food hall was forced to close because it was failing to make any money.