A POPULAR Llangollen cafe has closed its doors to protect its staff and customers from the risk of coronavirus.

Simon Clemence, owner of the Ponderosa Cafe, said the decision to close "for the foreseeable future" and the response from the public which followed had been difficult and emotional.

After announcing it to the cafe's many fans via Facebook on Wednesday morning, he told the Leader: "With it being Mother's Day this weekend, we will potentially have hundreds of visitors.

"We have a duty to our staff and customers and due to the nature of Covid 19, we had to make a decision.

"We have had a massive reaction on Facebook - people have been very understanding and I would like to thank them."

Speaking of the impact the closure could have on his business, Mr Clemence - who runs the cafe with his wife Samantha, daughter Amber and son Sam - said: "We are in good financial standing so for the next two to three months I think we'll be fine.

"After that, we will have to make some serious decisions.

"We have 12 full-time staff and moving into the summer we will have ten to 15 part-timers. They have all been very understanding as well and we will try to do the best by them.

"This has been a family run business since 1984. I came here with my mother when I was 18 and it's all I have ever known.

"I have seen a lot in those 37 to 38 years, but this is unprecedented.

"We all have a duty to make the right decisions now so we can get this virus eradicated and carry on with our lives in the near future."

The Shop in the Clouds - a gift shop located within the Ponderosa - has also had to close as part of the precautions, owner Roslynne Lumsden confirmed to the Leader.