A popular Chinese restaurant announced its closure after 26-years of feeding the town foodies.   

The family behind Ken’s Beijing restaurant in Amersham announced their decision to close the long-running business on Station Road on May 1.

Jonny Leung’s parents have been at the helm of the restaurant tirelessly since 1997 before he and his brother took over three years ago.

Now he’s revealed the reason behind the closure decision that shocked regular customers and fans on Tuesday.

Bucks Free Press: The restaurant pictured in 1997The restaurant pictured in 1997 (Image: Jonny Leung)

Jonny said: “In hospitality there’s so many long hours, but it’s not just opening hours. It becomes a 24/7 job, my parents have been doing it for so many years.

“Me and my brother don’t want to work in that environment, our parents don’t want us to work in that environment either.

“Running a business is always difficult because the only way to make it profitable was if my parents were doing it themselves, but when you hire staff, take into account the increase in wages and rising costs you end up struggling, the entire business model is no longer working. 

“We decided we’ll call it quits, and let our parents fully retire. It will be a perfect time.”

31-year-old Jonny has just become a dad.

He’s keen for his parents to spend more time with their grandchild and family.

He admitted the closure decision was a “relief”.

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He said: “It was relief actually for everyone including two chefs who are my cousins and they’ve been in the business for ten years.”

His cousins felt they didn’t have “a way out” since they were loyal to the family and felt they couldn’t go, Jonny explained.

“Us closing was a bit of a relief for them. And a relief for my parents they felt they don’t need to run it anymore.

“We did the admin with my brother, and it was a big relief, no more payroll and book keeping,” the engineer and restaurateur said.

However, closing one of the “longest running establishments” in Amersham with nice following and different generations of people coming in was also sad.

“It’s been fantastic, we’ve had a really good following from the customers.

“They’re the only reason we existed. There are some really good customers out there who care and know my parents personally, and they were the reason why my parents continued.”

The property could soon house another business after Jonny’s relatives, who own the building, decided to put the freehold up for sale.