Southampton Chinese takeaway welcomes customers for final time

Golden River in Bitterne Park Triangle welcomed customers for the final time on Sunday.

Husband and wife, Kun Hei and Lin Chan, aged 73, are set to retire.

The takeaway was known for its special chow mein and fried rice, with residents sharing well wishes to the owners on Facebook. 

READ MORE: Southampton Chinese takeaway to close after nearly 50 years

Despite their language barrier, their son said his parents appreciated the kind words from customers. 

Wing Chan, 43, said: "It's an end of an era really. It's a sad day and people have been coming in saying how much they will miss us.

"My parents want to retire and they have been planning it since last year but the costs of everything have kind of given the final push for them.

"We have received flowers and cards and our regulars have been coming in more.

"We have had people who have not come in for many years come to say goodbye and order too."

Customers said their final goodbyes to the takeaway with cards thanking owners for their many years of service.

Cards left to Golden River (Image: Hannah De Boltz, Newsquest)

Customer, Gemma Littlecott, who lives nearby said she and her family were "saddened" to hear of the shop's closure. 

She said: "I wanted to come in one last time. My family actually found out on Facebook and we used to eat takeaways from here all the time.

"Since Covid when everything was shut, we stopped and I think that because of a lot of people doing that, most businesses have slowly shut down.

"We're having a classic family meal from one of the best takeaways in the city and it will be missed."

Fellow customer, Mateusz Neska, said: "I was the last customer of the Golden River this night, before closure. I just came quarter to nine.

"Cook agreed to prepare the last meal with four types of meat. Really good quality food, as usual. I will miss this place and the food."

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