MARK NICHOLLS One of Norfolk's best-known restaurants is up for sale.For many years, Adlard's on Upper St Giles' Street, Norwich, has been regarded as the city's premier restaurant, and it is now on the market as a going concern for £610,000.

MARK NICHOLLS

One of Norfolk's best-known restaurants is up for sale.

For many years, Adlard's on Upper St Giles' Street, Norwich, has been regarded as the city's premier restaurant, and it is now on the market as a going concern for £610,000.

Owner David Adlard, who says he hopes the restaurant will continue as it is, has decided to sell up now and open a new catering venture in the county.

But he added: “I don't want to be too specific about the new venture at the moment, but it will not be a restaurant. I am 63 now and want to put what energy I have left into something different, but still in catering.

“I have always enjoyed the restaurant terrifically. It is nearly 25 years now and it has always given me a great buzz to be very successful and top of the league in terms of service and food.”

The restaurant is being marketed nationally by estate agents Christie's & Co for £610,000, a price which also includes living accomm-odation with three bedrooms.

Mr Adlard said: “I took the decision two to three months ago that it was time to do something different. Running a restaurant can be all-consuming, 10 shifts a week, and for the past 25 years I have been around for many of those 10 shifts each week.”

Head chef Roger Hickman is believed to want to stay on and continue the tradition of fine food that has been established in recent years.

Mr Adlard added: “We are very proud of what we have achieved at Adlard's and I would like to see it carry on in the same mode. We are proud of serving the best food in Norwich and to have set high standards.”

He says his proudest moment came in 1987 when the restaurant was awarded the first Michelin Star, although it no longer has the accolade.

He added: “I will miss the restaurant, the people, the buzz and the great atmosphere in the restaurant when people are animated, talking and laughing. I think some people have been shocked that I am selling - they think I am always going to be around.”

The advertisement from Christie & Co lists Adlard's as a “quality city centre restaurant” in Norfolk with 40 covers, good standard living accommodation and year-end sales to January 2006 of £290,000 excluding VAT.

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