It’s the end of an era in Aberystwyth as the town’s last sit-down Chinese restaurant closes it doors after the retirement of the friendly face behind the counter, Tony Chung.

He’s been at the helm of the Mandarin for just over 35 years, but Tony has closed the doors to the Pier Street restaurant for the final time.

Speaking to the Cambrian News about his love of Aberystwyth and his plans for the future, the father-of-three said closing the business was a difficult decision.

“It’s a sad decision but it’s time to slow down and spend time with the family,” he explained.

Originally from Hong Kong, Tony came to Aberystwyth in 1968.

“I was about 15 years old at the time and my father had a business here. We came over to join him and it was a total change for me and my life.

“At first I was homesick but once I started school and made friends I was more settled.”

Tony’s heart is firmly in Aberystwyth now and, even though his grown-up children live in cities across the border, he is adamant he won’t be leaving the place he calls home.

“My son is in Birmingham and I have one daughter in Manchester and another in Cambridge. I think they enjoy city life!

“I’ll visit them often and spend more time with them, but I am staying in Aberystwyth. I love the people and the place.”

Tony is also looking forward to spending more time with Jenny, his wife of 44 years.

And despite giving up the restaurant they’ll still be pretty busy because, as well as three children, they also have five grandchildren.

“Three of them are triplets and they’re about to turn one,” Tony says proudly.

“We’re going to spend more time with all of the family, including my mum who will be 103 years old at the end of the year and who lives in Hong Kong. She is incredible.”

According to Tony, it was his parents who opened the first Chinese restaurant in Aberystwyth.

“It was about 1961 or 62 and it was called Sze Hing on the seafront,” said Tony.

“They ran it until the late 1980s when it changed from a restaurant to a take away. The business passed to my brother and the name changed to The Seafront Palace.

“Originally there was one big Chinese there, but eventually it split in to two.”

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