A LUNCH and noodle bar is set to permanently close their doors due to the financial strain caused by coronavirus lockdown.

Husband and wife Ste and Sue Yip launched their takeaway Bentos Lunchbox on George Street, St Helens in July 2019.

However, like many businesses they have been affected by the forced closures and lack of footfall due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Due to their business being in its infancy they felt the impact is something they "couldn't recover from."

Speaking to the Star, Sue said: "This is definitely not a decision we made lightly, we didn't want to close but the cost of setting up the business and then with coronavirus meant that we could not afford to keep going with it.

"You expect to not make a profit on a business in the first 12 months but the pandemic pushed us over the edge of that really.

"I'm fortunate enough to also work as a personal trainer, but my husband Ste has been shielding so it has been difficult and something we put off for as long as we could.

"We've had to sell our home to sort the debts so it is something we put our all into, but we are glad we tried and would say to others to please keep their chins up.

"St Helens needs support and once this is all over I hope others will try to open businesses up there. We need to band together and it was nice to take over a shop that had been empty for so long and bring something to the town.

"Our family, friends and loved ones are OK and that's what is important."

Announcing the news via their Facebook page, Sue and Ste said: "It is with the greatest sadness that we have to announce Bentos will not be reopening.

"Due to us being a new business that had only just got going we were impacted by covid in a way that we couldn't recover from.

"We worked so hard to start this business that we're absolutely gutted but many businesses have suffered the same fate!!

"We loved all our customers and the wonderful comments we received regards our food and service. Thank you all so much.

"Take care and let's get rid of this virus once and for all.

"With love and hugs, from Sue and Ste x."