Zaap Thai closes Nottingham shop after less than two years

A Nottingham supermarket with a difference has closed its doors less than two years after an opening ceremony performed by Buddhist monks who wished it prosperity and good luck. Zaap Thai Market opened in Upper Parliament Street in August 2022, not far from the street food restaurant in Bromley Place.

The first of its kind in the UK, dedicated purely to Thai foodstuffs, the shop sold fresh fruit and vegetables, noodles, condiments, snacks, sweet treats and frozen food, as well as food-to-go and bubble tea.

It stocked items not available in other supermarkets such as pickled sweetened mustard greens and Thai coconut rolls as well as everyday big brands like Heinz tomato ketchup, SPAM, Sun-Pat peanut butter, Andrex toilet roll and Silver Spoon sugar.

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No specific reason has been given for the closure. A message posted on Facebook informed customers, saying: "Dear our lovely customers, we 're sad to inform you that Zaap Thai Market is permanently closed. After careful consideration, we have decided to close the shop for a number of reasons. Thank you to everyone who supported us over the past years. We apologise for any inconvenience caused."

Customers expressed their disappointment over the closure. One said: "Really gutted, we went for the opening and it was lovely but quite far out of the centre and no parking close. If it went somewhere like Sneinton market or Hockley it would have done better. Sad to see it go." Another commented: "Oh it’s so sad to hear that. Just there last week."

Even though the shop has shut, it appears that items can still be bought online with a minimum order of £20 required for delivery. The restaurant is still open as normal.

At the shop's opening ceremony Buddhist monks performed an hour-long ceremony, with chants and prayers, to bless Zaap Thai Market. Invited guests were splashed with holy water and one of the monks drew an ancient script with his finger on the window of the shop, which used to be Lifestyle Express convenience store.