Facing a second challenge
After much deliberation over the past few months, we have finally taken the plunge and opened our second restaurant, Wilsons, in the centre of Norwich. It is a 30-seater operation on two floors in the middle of a cluster of good restaurants. We are hoping for great things, while recognising the importance of not neglecting our established Wymondham restaurant.
Our sous chef from Number Twenty Four, Nigel Crane, has become chef and manager of the new venture, with colleague Rob Waring managing front of house. With two familiar faces in charge, I avoided some of the more frightening nightmares, but the long-forgotten apprehension associated with a new business has returned with a vengeance!
The constant warnings from customers and friends that expansion just leads to more worries and less brass hardly inspires, but having "done the homework" we are confident.
Until the new venture breaks even, we have no replacement for Nigel, so we are being pulled all ways: setting up the systems for Wilsons, trying to keep on top of the ever-increasing paperwork, and running the kitchen with no cover. I am not foolish enough to think we can carry on indefinitely with this situation, but I believe the problems will be resolved in weeks rather than months.
As with everything connected with my family, the place has been assembled on a shoestring, with all the local DIY stores experiencing a boost in turnover thanks to us.
The results, with a dining room overlooking a beautiful church in the heart of the conservation area, has surpassed all our expectations, and now the promotion has begun in earnest. The first two weeks of trading were low key, with a conscious decision made to get our feet under the table before the onslaught from local press, radio and business centres began. This weekend has seen excellent coverage, and we are looking forward to results over the coming days.
Trade at Number Twenty Four has held up relatively well amid all the upheaval, when selling and marketing has unfortunately taken a back seat. With Wilsons' doors now open for business, I must get back on track. Constant nagging from my staff means there is no chance of slacking!
All hands were on deck for the mailing exercise, with my daughters licking and stamping in return for an increase in pocket money.
Coinciding with a local council investigation into child labour, this means we will probably get our sought-after press coverage for all the wrong reasons!
