A popular group of restaurants, including The Wildebeest in Stoke Holy Cross and Mackintosh's Canteen in Norwich, has been sold.
The Animal Inns group – which also includes The Mad Moose and the The Hunny Bell at Hunworth – has been sold to entrepreneurs Jez King and David Cappendell for an undisclosed sum.
Animal Inns, which employs 85 people, was owned and managed by Henry Watt, who will be staying on with the business in a consultancy role to oversee the maintenance and development of the brand. Mr Watt set up his first restaurant 20 years ago with Hector's House which, with The Aquarium, was sold in 2000. He went on to establish The Wildebeest and the other restaurants.
Mr King, who has been working with Mr Watt over the past two years as a consultant, said: 'As well as providing top quality food using local ingredients, they have all established a great brand reputation in the market place.'
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here