A HIDDEN luxury restaurant has abruptly closed its doors after the owner claimed the council prevented them from renewing their lease.
The restaurant’s owner says that she has now been forced to find a new location for her business in Southwest Wales.
Paternoster Farm was located in the sleepy village of Hundleton, Pembrokeshire.
It was popular with food critics and received rave reviews from The Times, with food writer Charlotte Ivers describing the food as “superb”.
She added: “There’s a fine balancing act here between countryside authenticity and fashionable cooking.
“It works extremely well.”
The restaurant was run by ex-divorce lawyer Michelle Evans but, according to her, the eatery is being forced to close by the local council.
Michelle said: “This peninsula means a lot to me.
“The local authority are asking us to move to another of their holdings in north Pembrokeshire, irrespective of the fact we have built a business here that’s tightly woven into the local community.
“Guests plan their holidays around dining with us, even booking their accommodation to be near to us.
“The hospitality industry is tough, we have spent four years pouring time, money, our heart and soul into the restaurant.
“We’re just about getting there, and now we have to leave.
“There has been no conversation or negotiation to be had, by the time we were made aware, Paternoster Farm had already been offered to another party.
“Our children are finding it particularly difficult to accept.”
Pembrokeshire County Council has been approached for comment.
Michelle bought the smallholding with her husband Leum, after deciding to give up working in law.
She is entirely self-taught and launched the business in the midst of the COVID-19 lockdown.
Initially, the shop was centred around selling home-reared meat and pastries before becoming a restaurant.
However, now, the fate of Michelle’s restaurant and her 12 members of staff is unknown.
She hasn’t been given an exact closing date and is currently in the process of finding a new site.
What is happening to the hospitality industry?
By Laura McGuire, consumer reporter
MANY Food and drink chains have been struggling in recently as the cost of living has led to fewer people spending on eating out.
Businesses had been struggling to bounce back after the pandemic, only to be hit with soaring energy bills and inflation.
Multiple chains have been affected, resulting in big-name brands like Wetherspoons and Frankie & Benny’s closing branches.
Some chains have not survived, Byron Burger fell into administration last year, with owners saying it would result in the loss of over 200 jobs.
Pizza giant, Papa Johns is shutting down 43 of its stores soon.
Tasty, the owner of Wildwood, said it will shut sites as part of major restructuring plans.
She said: “It’s early days.
“We’re still coming to terms with the news, and we’re not sure what our next project will be, but we are keen not to lose momentum.
“It will be in Pembrokeshire.
“Whether it’s a restaurant, café, or pub—we’re not ready to give up. We owe it to our brilliant staff and loyal suppliers to keep going.
“If a new opportunity arises that needs us to act quickly, then we may close sooner, so come and eat with us while you still can.”
Pembrokeshire is a popular tourist destination, with thousands of Brits flocking to the beautiful county every year.
Milton Haven is particularly popular, because of its waterfront restaurants and cafes, alongside St David’s which is the smallest city in the UK.