THE owners of Caf� Uno have insisted that the opening of a rival coffee shop just metres away did not influence their decision to sell up.

THE owners of Caf� Uno have insisted that the opening of a rival coffee shop just metres away did not influence their decision to sell up.

Caf� Uno closed its doors for the last time on Monday evening, after the owners Eddie, Barry and Steve Drinkall sold the business to the owners of Tempus Jewellers on Albion Hill.

The Journal understands the caf�, which had been empty for two years before the Drinkalls spent nine months refitting it in 2005, will now become part of the jewellers' expanding business.

Eddie Drinkall, who with his sons also owns The York Inn, says they had not been squeezed by Costa Coffee and, if anything, they were having difficulty coping with Uno's success.

He said: "When Costa first opened, we thought it would affect us and were prepared for a 15 per cent drop in trade.

"But that didn't happen and we were surprised. We had people queuing to sit down.

"The fact is the catering trade is really tough, a lot harder than the pub trade. It's very hands on."

Eddie started trading in Exmouth in 1976 after moving from Old Kent Road in London, running Strawberry Fayre Greengrocers on Chapel Street and The York pub.

The site had previously been Tantalus Antiques and Eddie added: "We still own the York, but with only three of you it's difficult to do both businesses justice.

"We've been working seven days a week for three years. It was a good offer and we took the opportunity."

Steve said they didn't rule out buying another pub, and would now look at giving The York a makeover.

Steve said: "We are not sure what we are going to do, but we are not going to rule out another pub, maybe without food, not so hectic."

Eddie dismissed claims by blogger Redundantista, posted on www.exmouthpeople.co.uk, that the caf�'s 12 staff weren't told of the closure - and had not been given contracts and were unsure where they stood with regard to redundancy payments.

He said: "They have all been given the contact details of the payroll manager and are all being given their [redundancy and notice pay] entitlements.