A RESTAURANT and takeaway is in a race against time to find a new site following the sale of the building it currently occupies.

Bea Grice said she felt ‘shocked’ after finding out she would have to wind up operations at the Ulverston restaurant – Bea’s Thai – that she has run for eight years.

“I don’t know where to go from here,” she said.

“I’ve been here for a long time. It’s a very nice town, the people are very friendly.

“If I can’t find a place in six weeks I may have to get a job somewhere until something comes up.”

Mrs Grice, 45, has been in Ulverston for 18 years, having moved here from Hong Kong. Her late husband’s mother lived in the town at the time.

She ran The Temple Thai restaurant in Cavendish Street with her husband Matthew until his death from a heart attack eight years ago.

Bea’s Thai on Lower Brook Street is open in the evenings but a tea room – and separate business – is run from the same building during the day.

Mrs Grice said she found out last week that the woman who owned the building had sold it.

“It’s a bit short notice. I’ve got six weeks now to find somewhere else,” she said.

“I want to stay in Ulverston. I love this town, I love the people.

“I’ve got two kids, and both of them are at school here. It’s safe for the kids as well, for the children to grow up in.”

“I love cooking. I like to cook food for people, I like them to come round and see it.

“I love the people and all my customers.

“It’s the only thing I do, I’ve been doing it for 18 years.”

She is currently looking for another site but has not found anywhere so far.

In a post to the restaurant’s Facebook page, she promised to keep customers informed.