Restaurant closure is not the end for business

The owners of North Walsham’s Cockerel have announced with sadness that they are to close the restaurant side of their business.

But Claire and Mark Rushen say it will not be the end for events at the town centre venue, with special themed nights planned and a change-around meaning the restaurant can be hired out by groups, businesses and families for parties, Christmas meals and other functions.

Claire said: “We just haven’t been able to compete with places like Waitrose who offer a free coffee to customers and there just aren’t as many people coming through the doors as a few years ago. We are really sad to have to close but hope to be able to welcome our loyal customers back for our planned events such as theme nights and afternoon tea dates.”

The couple bought the Cockerel business and attached house, where they will continue to live, in 2007 and have built a reputation for good food cooked with locally-sourced ingredients.

Claire said: “Our costs have increased over the years as we have made sure our ingredients our good quality but we have tried to keep our prices down. We have increased the price of our breakfast just 5p since we started here.”

As well as the special events at the restaurant, the couple will be continuing to build up their outside catering business the Flying Cockerel. “We do all kinds of catering including recently a pink-themed party. Wedding picnics are also becoming really popular,” said Claire.

The couple told staff of the changes over the weekend.

They plan to let their former deli building as a shop and have someone in the pipeline they hope will open soon.

The business has a Facebook page The Cockerel Group and is currently organising a website where it will have dates of events and what it offers.