From the https://www.kentonline.co.uk By Georgia Woolf, 10 October 2019.

Café Rouge to close in Tenterden this month.

The French brasserie chain - which has been in the high street for 12 years - will shut on Monday, October 21.

News of the upcoming closure has emerged on the company's website, although the reason behind it is not yet known.

The chain is owned by the Casual Dining Group - which is the largest independent restaurant company in the UK - responsible for well known brands including Bella Italia, La Tasca and Las Iguanas.

Tenterden Town councillor Sue Ferguson said: "I think it is a shame. It seems to be busy during the day but empty in the evening.

"I went past at 8pm one evening and nobody was in there.

"It will be interesting to see if they pull out completely or change it into another restaurant, like Bella Italia."

Tenterden's Eight Bells pub called last orders after hundreds of years in 2007, and the premises became Café Rouge later that year.

Plans to convert the 18th century building into a national restaurant chain were met with fierce opposition when they first emerged.

Fears that the historic character of the high street would be eroded if modern companies moved in were shared by both the town council and residents' association.

But Ashford Borough councillors later approved the plans after a series of amendments were made to the application - which included retaining the white and black look of the Grade II-listed building.

A controversial petition was launched by the former restaurant manager to paint the building red and white, although the site kept its historic colours.

A Café Rouge spokesman said: “We can confirm the closure of our Tenterden café, and are working closely with the landlord to market the property.

"Our team are aware and we are working to re-locate colleagues at other restaurants where possible.

"We would like to thank them for their service over the years, and of course our café guests, for their custom and loyalty.”