Essex newsagents buy Hertfordshire fine-dining restaurant
Three brothers who own a chain of newsagents in Essex have ventured into the restaurant trade with the purchase of the fine-dining Countryman restaurant.
The rural restaurant overlooks Hatfield Heath in Hertfordshire and lies on the border with Essex. It is one of very few restaurants in the village.
The new owners are Simon, Jason and Lee Griffin, who live in the Hatfield Heath area.
The property comprises a bar-reception area, a 54-seat restaurant and a four-bedroom owners' accommodation with two bathrooms, a car park and a terrace garden.
The previous owners, chef-proprietor Robin Wilkins and his wife Yvonne, have built up a strong following from a broad catchment area since they bought the restaurant in 1976.
The Ipswich office of Christie + Co sold the freehold property for slightly below the asking price of £700,000.
