A popular piano bar in one of South London’s oldest markets has been forced to shut as the cost of living spirals.

Bayou Bar announced its closure at Broadway Market Tooting after the rising costs of “basically everything” made it impossible to survive. 

The bar first opened its doors at the market in November 2018 to bring New Orleans to London, serving Louisiana-inspired street food and cocktails.

It also hosted musicians weekly and popular event “Wing Wednesday”, serving 50p wings all night long. 

In a statement on Instagram, owner Nick Willoughby said the bar’s “incredible team” had seen it through the pandemic.

But he listed recent increases in energy costs, stock, staff and security among the reasons for the bar’s permanent closure, with “basically everything” going up.

He added that the “extreme shortage of hospitality staff” had made it impossible to keep Bayou Bar open at the market, although the business’ new street food trailer will be touring festivals this summer. 

He said: “I am […] hugely grateful to all the incredible musicians and our whole team who have made Bayou a cracking place to hang out. We also owe a massive thanks to all our customers who have been so supportive since we first opened.

“This is far from the end for Bayou. We have our new street food trailer touring the country at festivals this summer and once the dust has settled we will start searching for a new site for us to come back bigger and better than ever!”

The market’s management said it had been supporting its traders throughout the pandemic.

Gutted locals took to social media to call the closure the “end of an era”.

One person wrote on Instagram: “Am genuinely gutted to read this – my husband and I have had many, many happy nights with you both pre and post Covid. Our Tooting nights genuinely won’t be the same without you, and nor will the market! Best wishes to owners and staff in these difficult times.”

Another said: “I dream about your food. A lot. Hope you’ll be back in the not so distant future!!!”

A third message reads: “I’m actually gutted … What is the world coming to.” Another said the bar was “always so rammed”. 

In a statement, Broadway Market Tooting management described the bar’s closure as “very unfortunate” and said daily expenses had “increased drastically” in the UK. The statement said: “Brexit has created an immense shortage of hospitality staff as well.”

It added: “Please be aware that we at Broadway Market are always keen to support our traders in all instabilities and we will be supporting them in all peaks and valleys.”

Bayou Bar has been contacted for comment.