Appleton's in Fowey announces shock immediate closure

One of Cornwall's most renowned restaurants has announced its shock immediate closure. Appleton's in Fowey has cancelled all bookings and is making staff redundant.

The restaurant business was established in 2016 by Andy and Lyndsey Appleton. Andy worked as the former head chef of Jamie Oliver’s Fifteen Cornwall. The couple made the announcement on Instagram.

They said: "We are deeply saddened and with a deep, constant feeling of nausea in the pits of our stomach we post this to say we have closed the restaurant with immediate effect.

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"All creditors will be contacted in the next week, all future reservations will be cancelled and hopefully contacted (we’re sorry we won’t be able to look after you) please be kind and patient should you need a response from anyone and please direct those queries to us and not our team."

Earlier this year Appleton's was ranked among the best restaurants in Cornwall by The Times' food expert. It was also a finalist for restaurant of the year in the Food Lifestyle Awards 2024.

Appleton's paid tribute to staff, saying the decision to lay them off had made "our stomachs churn."

"We have (had) an incredible group of people who were in our staff family and are now without work and awaiting redundancy just before Christmas, which again makes our stomachs churn. If we ever end up in a position where we could employ them, we would do so in a heartbeat.

"If anyone has anything or are looking for some really special individuals please get in touch with us and I can forward that on.

"To all our customers (and so then, friends) that have dined with us and supported us over the years and enjoyed our hospitality or experienced what we do, to anyone that has celebrated something or simply smiled or laughed within our walls, thank you."

There has been an outpouring of sadness from people responding to the news.

One said: "I’m so sad and it’s a loss for the town you will be missed. It’s such hard work and we all put in everything as business owners. Thinking of all of you x.

Another added: "Oh no! You guys created something very, very special over these past few years and we were privileged to eat at your two establishments. So very sorry Lynds and Andy - you are both incredibly talented, passionate individuals who I sincerely hope will rise again x"

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