Restaurateur says farewell to town's landmark bistro after 40 years

Jenny Haylett, 72, first opened Friends Bistro on Dene Side in February, 1981 - but decided to permanently close the landmark eatery after the first national lockdown gave her a taste of well-earned retirement.

Its last day of trading was March 21, 2020, with the building sold to an apartment developer at the end of last year.

Starting out as a hairdressers in 1968, the shop was redesigned as a bistro, solarium and salon in 1981 when the then 30-year-old Ms Haylett set herself a new challenge.

With that, Originalle Hair Salon and Friends Bistro was born.

Jenny Haylett is closing after 52 years in Great Yarmouth (Image: Archant)

Before the salon expanded to become a bistro it was known as Originalle Hair Salon, and was known for its experimental practices that Jenny learned while working at different salons across London (Image: Jenny Haylett)

She said: "Everyone told me not to make any changes - and that things were fine as they were - but of course I ignored them!

"Alongside my partner Margaret and one of my old customers Betty Ashby we built up a lovely little business which really took off in Yarmouth."

Twenty years later, Ms Haylett decided to close the hairdressers - but not before Friends Bistro was converted into a two-floor bistro and food shop/deli.

Jenny Haylett is closing after 52 years in Great Yarmouth (Image: Archant)

She said: "Margaret and I drove just outside of Venice in Italy to order the beautiful 12 foot long deli counter, and we opened Friends Food Shop and Bistro in May 1988."

The deli counter, which Margaret and Jenny bought from Italy (Image: Jenny Haylett)

In 2005, the deli counter was sold and a new bar put in its place, with the renamed Friends Bistro and Bar proving a real hit with music-loving locals.

The Bistro's final design (Image: Jenny Haylett)

The upstairs of the Bistro in its final design (Image: Jenny Haylett)

It wasn't until a global pandemic came along that Ms Haylett and her partner could be persuaded to retire, however.

"I was always worried what I would do if I retired, but the funny thing was I actually began to love being at home, free from all the stress of running a business", she said.

"After 52 years I've done my time - and I've had an absolute ball. I want to thank my customers dearly."

The final reincarnation of Friends Bistro - Friends Bistro and Bar (Image: Jenny Haylett)

She said she wanted to thank her partner of 43 years, Margaret, for putting up with her "mad ideas", and her now 97-year-old mum Vida who has supported her all the way.

Her staff also received a special mention, with one particularly loyal head chef, Natalie Royal, joining the bistro at 18 in 1983 and leaving 37 years later.

The final members of staff at Friends' Bistro (Image: Jenny Haylett)