The owner of a popular coffee shop said his hand has been forced to close as the café is “suffocated by scaffolding”.

Mettricks in Woolston closed on Monday after serving coffee for more than seven years.

Spencer Bowman, owner and founder of the Southampton coffee chain, said the last three months have been the hardest ever at the site, which is in the heart of Centenary Quay.

Spencer said the longstanding cladding works at the high-rise buildings are partially to blame.

Scaffolding and fencing have “boxed” the coffee shop in for over a year, leaving customers to think it is closed, said Spencer.

Mettricks in Woolston surrounded by scaffoldingMettricks in Woolston surrounded by scaffolding (Image: Newsquest) “There is no sense of urgency with the works, and there is no understanding for those running a business and those who live here”, he added.

The complex now feels “oppressive” and paired with rising costs and the latest budget from the government, keeping Mettricks Woolston alive became untenable.

Spencer said: “Centenary Quay was supposed to be a landmark, riverside development, which would rejuvenate this side of the water.

“I brought Mettricks here for the promise and potential of the site, which was promised to be the Ocean Village on this side of the city.

“I really thought there was potential here.”

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The coffee shop was busy on Monday, its last day, with people coming to say goodbye.

Developers Crest Nicholson have been working on re-cladding, re-decorating, and re-insulating the complex in the last year.

This is expected to continue for the next 18 months, which left Spencer fearful of the impact keeping Mettricks open would have on his other locations.

Spencer announced the closure news on social media on Saturday, December 21.

He said he has since been met with an outpouring of sadness and anger.

He said: “Us closing is a very visible sign of the impact the work here is having on people.

“This space has been a really important community asset, as well as a coffee shop.

“But we have to be financially sustainable, and Mettricks closing is a stark reminder of that.”

Spencer Bowman (right) with Mettricks Woolston manager Sam JalaksaSpencer Bowman (right) with Mettricks Woolston manager Sam Jalaksa (Image: Newsquest) He added that an increase in employers' National Insurance Contributions announced by the Chancellor in the latest budget has also contributed to his decision, adding that he has been “disproportionately hit” and “cannot subsidise the Woolston location”.

Spencer said he hopes Mettricks Woolston can return in 2025, not just for the community but for him and his team.

He said: “This is particularly heartbreaking for me and my team as there is a lot of passion in Mettricks.

“We have had some great people work here with us over the years.”