Yo! Sushi in George Street set to close as Glut gears up to open next door

Yo Sushi has become the latest casualty of the intense competition on the eatery-lined street and will break fans' hearts by bowing out on Valentine's Day, February 14.

Staff confirmed to the Oxford Mail yesterday that the branch will shut imminently but would not give any further comment.

Enquiries to the chain's head office also went unanswered as customers speculated over the reasons for closure.

Yo Sushi underwent a big refurbishment only a little over two years ago.

It comes as plans continue apace to open another new restaurant just next door to the at-risk sushi shop in what has been labelled a 'forgotten' end of the city centre.

Glut is set to become the third restaurant in three years to open in the same spot and workmen were seen hard at work giving the building a lick of paint.

ALSO READ: 'Glut' is coming - but what is it?

The Oxford Mail headed out to George Street yesterday to chat to people out and about on the restaurant-lined road.

Botley resident Susan Ryde said she was struggling to keep up with all the comings and goings.

Although not a Sushi fan, she said she was sad to see the chain disappear, leaving another empty unit.

She added: "They do seem to change hands a lot.

"It feels like this end of the street doesn't get the same amount of attention.

"It's a bit rundown really. I know a redevelopment is planned and hopefully that will make a big difference."

Kester Mcclure, from Littlemore, said he had been thinking there were too many restaurants earlier that day.

The 43-year-old said: "There is an awful lot, you can see why some may struggle.

"I don't make it down here very often, it feels like it is mostly for tourists.

"I'd like to see something a bit different. London has a lot of indoor street food markets now, offering different options and something like that could work well."

The old Natwest bank on the junction with Cornmarket is also being marketed as a restaurant.