Exmouth's Bamboo Chinese restaurant closes after 42 years

Summarised from Exmouth Journal's report · Updated 10 Oct, 06:00 · Archive

The Bamboo, a family-run Chinese restaurant in Exmouth, will close on 1 November after 42 years of trading.

The Bamboo, a family-run Chinese restaurant on The Strand in Exmouth, will serve its final customers on 1 November, ending 42 years of trading. The restaurant was founded by Martin Lai in 1984 and has remained a fixture in the town centre since then.

Second-generation owner and chef Arthur Lai announced the closure in an emotional video message. He said the decision had been 'definitely not easy' and that 'in some ways I feel like I'm failing the legacy dad passed on to me'. However, he explained that 'the opportunity that we have been given it's hard for me to say no', citing upcoming surgeries that will take him out of work for around two months.

Arthur reflected on his childhood memories of watching his father work in the restaurant's kitchen, which has remained largely unchanged since then apart from a few modifications over the years. He noted that many people in Exmouth would still know him simply as 'Martin's son'.

Read the report

• Family-run Exmouth Chinese restaurant to close after 42 years in the townA family-run Chinese restaurant which has been part of a town centre for more than four decades is preparing to close, with its owner admitting he feels he is letting down his father's legacy.Exmouth Journal · 9 Oct, 23:00

In this story: Arthur Lai · Martin Lai · The Bamboo · Exmouth

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