The Last Wine Bar in Norwich is saved by four regulars
The new owners and management team of The Last Wine Bar: (from left) Lynda Baxter, Mark Loveday, Emma Neal, Richard Maxwell, Iain McCarten, Mark Duffy, Vince Pearson (photo: Newman Associates) - Credit: Archant
Four regular customers of a Norwich restaurant have joined forces to save it from closure
Four regular customers of a Norwich restaurant have joined forces to save it from closure.
The Last Wine Bar and Restaurant on St George’s Street was bought by the four on the eve of the company’s 29th anniversary; the restaurant’s founder, James Sawrey-Cookson, is retiring.
Management consultant Lynda Baxter said: “The four of us are long-standing customers who all love The Last and by investing we are enabling it to face the future with confidence.”
The three other new owners are Mark Duffy, chairman at Dardan Security, local businessman Mark Loveday, and Vince Pearson, chairman of Waterfall Elior.
The restaurant will be run by a management team made up of manager Emma Neal, head chef Iain McCarten, deputy manager Gracie Sutton and business support coach Richard Maxwell.
Ms Baxter said: “We want to pay tribute to what James Sawrey-Cookson created here, and we are delighted to be able to take the business forward with its management team.
Most Read
- 1 Cornish Legends: The Mermaid of Zennor
- 2 6 waterfall walks in Derbyshire and the Peak District
- 3 Lancashire Recipes - Butter Pie
- 4 Photography focus: 5 stunning Yorkshire Dales landscapes
- 5 7 places for the perfect picnic in Dorset
- 6 Take a tour of Cornwall’s picturesque harbours
- 7 From The Dig to Harry Potter - 5 films shot in Suffolk
- 8 Why Cornwall is so different from its neighbouring counties
- 9 Award-winning photographer visits Hayle on Cornish tour
- 10 Win a signed limited edition print by Fiona Odle
“We certainly won’t be changing what people love about The Last, but we will be looking to invest in improvements to ensure The Last has a bright future.”
The Last Wine Bar and Restaurant was founded in a former shoe factory on St George’s Street in Norwich in April 1990. It employs around 20 people.
