Popular Bristol takeaway Magic Roll to close after seven years in city centre
A MUCH-LOVED takeaway chain which offers a healthy alternative to the usual fast-food fare could close after seven years in the city centre.
The Magic Roll, which has branches on the Clifton Triangle and Redcliff Street, will open for business under its current owner for the final time on April 28.
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The Magic Roll has branches on the Clifton Triangle, pictured here, and Redcliffe Street
The quality of the locally produced food and long opening hours have seen the Mediterranean inspired wraps become a favourite amongst professionals and students, with a Facebook fan page amassing over 1,000 members. Owner John Keegan, who also owns a plumbing business, said finances were not to blame and the sale was "a personal business opportunity". He said he could not say whether the restaurants would continue to trade under new ownership.
"We have a buyer but nothing is finalised yet and in my experience you can't count your chickens before they have hatched," Mr Keegan said.
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"The Magic Roll is a very good business and I have heard many stories saying if it goes the people of Bristol will miss it. I can't say whether the business will remain after we have gone or not.
"Sales have been quite buoyant and we owe a great deal of gratitude to our loyal staff."
However, staff of the Triangle branch are disappointed with the decision to close the much-loved takeaway.
Employee Shanti Maass, 22, said: "The owner has had the business for a long time now so the decision to close down is understandable but we aren't very happy about it."
"The good quality local produce we use in the rolls means we don't make very much money even though it is quite expensive.
"I am not confident Magic Roll will continue here in Bristol, but the store's manager is apparently planning to buy the name so I hope Magic Roll can live on somewhere in the world in the future." Co-worker Charlotte Eskell, who is 18 and a student at Cotham sixth form, said: "Regulars have been really upset. Sales have been fine and the customers want to keep it as it is but it is not up to us."
Regular diner Becky Unitt, 29, said she was devastated by the news.
"I am in denial that it is closing. I don't want it to be anything else, I want a Magic Roll. I will have to come in every day before it closes."
Tributes have been posted on Magic Roll's Facebook page.
Julia Bush commented: "Please don't close...I'll pay anything", and Lewis Heapy simply wrote: "Crushed".
Comments
by robynj88
Thursday, April 19 2012, 12:59PM
“Next week I forsee myself having a Magic Roll every day for lunch! It was sad enough when I used to work in Fishponds and they opened a branch there that didn't last very long, now to have to say goodbye all over again! :-(”
by Bristoldjsuk
Thursday, April 19 2012, 9:53AM
“The friary cafe is going as well?! Oh ***, this day is getting worse! Though I don't go there much since moving further way, they used to be able to provide possibly the most unhealthy breakfast in Bristol. It was epic!”
by philip87
Thursday, April 19 2012, 9:48AM
“Will be really sorry to see it go,although in the last few years it has became a bit too expensive!”
by Pogo_T_Clown
Thursday, April 19 2012, 9:38AM
“I disdain healthy food for fear of what it could do to me but something like this is never good news. I was talking to the guy who ran the Friary Cafe up at Clifton Down and he told me that his trade had dropped to 10% of what it was 10 years ago, which is why he's selling up.
I blame the inexorable rise of coffee shops, myself.”
by groovygems
Thursday, April 19 2012, 9:17AM
“i suspect the free bit of publicity might bump up the selling price of the business perhaps? method in the madness i think.”
by Bristoldjsuk
Thursday, April 19 2012, 8:27AM
“NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! @ceembee Magic Roll is fairly legendary tbh... I really enjoy them, it's one of the best wraps you can get anywhere. The new owner would be a bit crazy not to run it as it is. It's always busy, but maybe the profits just aren't in it anymore!”
by ceembee
Thursday, April 19 2012, 6:18AM
“Sorry to hear that people may be out of work as a result of the closure but the responses from some customers quoted here are a tad OTT. There are far worse things that are truely devastating happening every day. People could of course make their own sandwiches!”