The Wine Cellar in Norwich has been permanently closed

The Wine Cellar in Woburn Court, just off Guildhall Hill, has permanently closed. 

This comes after more than 15 years in Norwich city centre and is a decision described as "heartbreaking" by owner Nichola Penrice.

Nichola Penrice has run the business for the last 15 years (Image: Nichola Penrice) "I have directed the Wine Cellar business now for 15 years," she said.

"But after steering through Covid and managing to cope for a while with higher costs for raw materials, wages and utilities, the Leeds Building Society scaffolding has been the silent assassin that has finally killed my business.

"I had no option but to raise prices when faced with a 51pc monthly overhead increase that included electricity at 70pc. 

"I plead with you to support local businesses when they raise their prices to cover their cost increases."

The bar and restaurant relied on its outdoor courtyard space for al fresco drinking and dining, but the scaffolding erected in April 2023 meant that large parts of the area were out of use.

Scaffolding has been in the courtyard for several months (Image: Nichola Penrice) Leeds Building Society built a bar for The Wine Cellar to help cover the scaffolding and provide additional outdoor seating. 

"They were legally entitled to do this but it has had a huge knock-on effect on our business," she explained. 

"At times we only had space for three tables in the courtyard, but who would want to eat in the middle of a building site?

"We have lost around 20pc of our footfall in the last 18 months.

"It has been very difficult."

The business was known for its outdoor dining space (Image: Nichola Penrice) Currently, the future of the business remains unclear.

"We had a really healthy diary for the festive period and to not be able to fulfil those bookings is heartbreaking," said Ms Penrice.

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"The landlord has changed the locks and I can't access work emails, reservations or the diary. 

"I don't yet know what is going to happen and I can't contact the customers about their bookings. 

"We will be posting updates on social media as and when we know more."

Leeds Building Society erected an outside bar to mask the scaffolding (Image: Leeds Building Society) A spokeswoman for Leeds Building Society said: "We are deeply saddened to hear of the closure of The Wine Cellar which is located close to our branch on Guildhall Hill. 

"Scaffolding has been in place around our branch so we could carry out significant structural repairs to the listed building and was taken down as soon as that was completed.

"In order to minimise the impact on our neighbours at the Wine Cellar, we adapted the scaffold within the courtyard to screen it from view and provide additional bar-style seating. We also displayed additional signs directing customers to the Wine Cellar from Guildhall Hill.

"Our thoughts are with the staff, owners and customers of the Wine Cellar, and we are sad to lose a local business from the high street. We wish the business owners the best of luck with their next venture."