Harris+Hoole, the trendy cafe chain backed by Tesco, has confirmed it is closing its Hounslow store just months after it was opened.
The upmarket coffee shop in Hounslow High Street is one of six unprofitable outlets reportedly being scrapped by the company, a large share of which is owned by Tesco.
The company this afternoon confirmed the Hounslow branch , which only opened in April, will shut. It said it was still consulting with staff and would confirm more details 'in due course'.
Harris+Hoole founder Nick Tolley, said: "Harris+Hoole is a fast growing business. We have six more stores scheduled to open this year and the vast majority of our stores continue to perform strongly.
"However, like any business which has grown rapidly, some locations have performed better than others, so it makes sense for us to review those locations which have done less well, or where the lease is coming to an end.
"Unfortunately based on this review, we've had to make the difficult decision to close our Hounslow shop. We are currently in a consultation with our employees for the store and will confirm more details in due course.
"Above all, we would like to thank our customers in Hounslow for their support since we opened our store here."
In September last year, the firm's cafe in Ruislip became the first of its new outlets to close , after making big losses.
The artisanal eatery became the centre of controversy when it emerged Tesco owned a large stake in what many customers assumed was a fully independent, family-run business.
Despite complaints from some quarters that it was merely the retail giant in disguise, the company expanded rapidly and currently has 41 stores actoss the south-east.
As well as the soon-to-be-gone Hounslow store, it has five other branches across west London: Ealing, Imperial Wharf, Osterley, Pinner and Uxbridge.
We asked readers for their views on Harris+Hoole's decision to leave Hounslow.
Clare Kent said on Facebook: "Oh good, more room for another 99p store. I think the owners have probably seen sense and moved to a better location."
Steve Palmer commented on Facebook: "There are too many coffee places everywhere."
Jo Kelly said on Twitter: "Had one coffee on recommendatoin of oleagionus staff member. Tasted of goats cheese. Never returned."
Francis Hamlyn responded via Twitter: "Good. Tesco-owned rubbish. Ealing next I hope."
Pat Simms-Cato said on Twitter: "I like their coffee and use the Ealing branch so would be a shame (if it closed)."
Laveli Bakery said on Twitter: "It does say 'temporary' and 'popped up' (on the Harris + Hoole website) so perhaps it's done its dash."
