The Mayfair wine bar in Bungay receives community award

It has been nearly a year since The Mayfair first opened its doors in a former wine shop in Broad Street, Bungay.

The venue had a troubled beginning as it closed two weeks after opening due to noise complaints.

It remained closed until owners Silas and Daisy Raynet received their full licence and it reopened in May, serving coffee, cocktails, cakes and tapas. 

And now their bar has now been awarded the Bungay Society Community Award 2024.

The award is given from "time to time" to a business, building, or organisation that helps enhance the character of Bungay. 

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The Mayfair is in Broad Street, Bungay. (Image: Sonya Duncan) READ MORE: Bid for five homes in Wortwell, Norfolk has been refused

The society had a shortlist of ten potential winners, but The Mayfair received the most votes. 

Mr Rayner said: "It's absolutely thrilling and so surprising."

“As a new business that had the town council object to you, it is confusing but also lovely to know that people recognise what we are doing here.”

At the moment, the bar is open only until 6pm but the owners have applied to extend their hours until 9pm. 

Daisy and Silas Rayner holding the Bungay Society Community Award in The Mayfair (Image: Sonya Duncan) READ MORE: Bungay Christmas street market to return for another year

Mrs Rayner said: "We feel like it has gone really well over the last year despite our restricted hours."

However, she added that by being open for a few extra hours "would really help for people who work”.

Terry Reeve, Bungay town reeve, who presented the award to the couple said: "Their shop enhances Broad Street. 

"It makes the approach into Bungay vibrant and lived in." 

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The Mayfair is set for the festive period (Image: Sonya Duncan) The bar offers coffee, cakes, cocktails and tapas (Image: Sonya Duncan) READ MORE: The Three Tuns Inn in Bungay is under new management

Next month, The Mayfair is set to transform into a winter wonderland for another year between 2pm to 6pm on December 11 to December 23, except Mondays and Tuesdays. 

It will include a "Santa's Story Reading" on December 12 between 5pm to 6pm for children. 

Mrs Rayner also hinted at a future project for teenagers that is "in the pipeline".

She said: "We are hoping to do something for the youth demographic".