Diners have been left "devastated” and “saddened” by the closure of a popular Blackheath restaurant after five years in business.

Copper & Ink first opened its doors in 2018, run by MasterChef 2015 finalist Tony Rodd and partner Becky Cummings.

But after five years in business, Tony and Becky announced Copper & Ink’s “immediate” closure yesterday in a post on social media (January 2).

The posts have garnered much attention from diners, locals and businesses, who have all expressed great sadness at the news of Copper and Ink’s departure.

So far, the announcement has received 239 responses on X, 229 on Instagram and 75 on Facebook with many shocked by the announcement.

One Instagram user commented on the many “amazing meals and special memories” that Tony, Becky and his team had created over the years.

Instagram user @cockrell_joanne wrote: “Feeling devastated for you both (and the team) as we know how much of your hearts and souls you invested in Copper and Ink but hope you know how many amazing meals and special memories you created for so many people through your hard work, creativity, and brilliance!

“You will be missed.”

Former diner @miss__jef took to Instagram and recollected on her previous visits to Copper & Ink, and was one of a few to visit the restaurant to mark their five year anniversary in December.

@miss__jef said: “Copper & Ink has been my favourite restaurant in the world since the first visit.

“Privileged to have had many wonderful experiences dining there, each time being more amazing than the last, including the 5 year anniversary dinner in December which was astounding.”

Another former diner @maddymutch said on Instagram that the restaurant had been their “go-to” to mark special occasions, offering “outstanding” service, and that their closure marked a “sad loss for the local community.”

Copper & Ink’s closure also touched the heart of one former diner who described visiting during a holiday on the day of their engagement, which gave the couple a “perfect memory.”

Instagram user @aixawilloughby wrote: “My fiancé and I came in to celebrate the day we got engaged and you all made it such a special experience.

“We were on holiday and had know idea how amazing this place was about to be.

“They saved us the window seat which made us feel like we were in a movie, our waitress held space for the gushy love energy we had and so genuinely celebrated with us whenever she came to the table, gave us a special desert and we met the chef.

“We felt so cared for and couldn’t have asked for a more perfect memory.”

For Instagram user @jzmacrae3112, Copper & Ink’s closure has marked the third closure seen in the last 10 days, and a “sad time” for the business.

Instagram user @runnonessoa said the closure of Copper & Ink marked a “big loss for the Blackheath community.”

@saucseisauces wrote: “It will be a huge loss to Blackheath and for all of us who adore you and what you do.”

But it wasn’t just diners sad to see the departure of the restaurant, local businesses also shared their disappointment to see the departure of Copper and Ink.

Commenting in response to the news on X, Mary Evans Picture Gallery wrote: “As a fellow Blackheath business, we are so sorry to hear this and wish you much luck for whatever the future brings.

Taking to X, Hither Green-based baker Ed Baker wrote: “Reading this makes me feel very sad. Wish you, Becky and the team all the best in your future undertakings.”

Writing on Instagram, Blackheath Yoga said: “Devastating news, gutted for you but as a business owner can completely relate.

“Well done for everything you have achieved - I will miss Copper & Ink, hands down the best food near and far.”

In a statement on Copper & Ink’s social media, Tony and Becky wrote: “It is with heavy hearts that we announce the immediate closure of Copper & Ink.

“We have agonised over making this decision and spent much of the Christmas break trying desperately to find a way to save the restaurant, but to no avail.

“The decision to close is borne out of the continued financial difficulties caused by COVID, increased energy costs, the cost of living crisis and price increases from all our suppliers that we have had to bear the brunt of for the last 3 years.

“All of which we know you have felt too, which has resulted in less guests coming through our doors, making running a business untenable.

“We have had a wonderful 5 years, and we want to thank each and every one of you from the bottom of our hearts for the warmth, love & support you have bestowed upon us during this time.

“We know there will be many questions and we will attempt to answer as many of them as we possibly can, however, we are also in a period of grief for the loss of the place we have called home for all this time, so we would appreciate some respect for our privacy whilst we process everything and go through the procedure of winding everything up.

“In the meantime, we have put togethers some FAQs which we hope might go some way to answering the pressing questions some of you may have.

“We have been privileged to be such an integral part of the Blackheath Village community and we will dearly miss seeing all of you on a regular basis.”