Maria’s calling Last Orders on 15th April

I am writing this to let you all know that my time at the Padwell is coming to an end. I am desperately sorry to be leaving having put in so much time and effort into getting the pub back up and running as a viable business.

I am pleased to let you know that we will be handing the business back to Jayne Harmes as of Monday 16th April. Jayne has managed to resolve the issues she had with her other business in Yorkshire and she wishes to return. Im sure that you will all be delighted to welcome her back and I wish her the very best for the future at what is a truly wonderful pub with a loyal and growing clientele.

I would like to thank several people before I go. First and foremost is Rob. The time , effort, capital and sheer bloody-mindedness he demonstrated on renovating the building and the business was inspiring, I sincerely hope that he will be compensated for this. I would also like to thank him for his supporting our efforts to purchase the freehold. Despite an offer being made for the full asking price it was not to be. Im sorry that you have decided to just walk away but I know that it is the morally right decision, if nothing else.

Sam many thanks for working so very hard in the Kitchen and for seeing this through from start to finish and Im delighted that you were offered the job you wanted immediately. To take a restaurant from an empty “fish tank” to over a 120 covers per week average mostly single handed is a huge achievement and invaluable experience for the future.

Louise . Happy Birthday – and thank you too for all your efforts. Good luck with your finals in the summer. Elaine , Ross, Hannah, Immy, Thea, Fran, Lel, Ray, The Latvia Crew, t’other Rob for the website and everyone else who has been so giving of their time and committed to helping in all manner of ways a huge THANK YOU.

Finally and most important of all I wish to thank you the customers. I will miss you all and consider many of you to be personal friends not just friends of The Padwell. Thank you for making me feel so welcome and I hope that you will support Jayne in the same way. Ill be shedding a few tears with you before I go.

My sincere thanks to you all

Maria