MIDDLEWICH restaurant The Sandhurst has been taken off the market after the owners were blown away by messages of support from people in the town. 


The restaurant, on Chester Road, was put up for sale in November last year and looked to end a run of 10 years of success in the town.


However, since the Guardian reported on the popular restaurant being put on the market, owner Rowena Moore has been shocked at the reaction, with customers constantly asking for the Sandhurst to stay in Middlewich.


Rowena said: “It was the amount of customers at Christmas that were devastated we were leaving. I didn’t realise how much we were loved.


“They were saying ‘where will we go now?’ because there isn’t anywhere else like this around.


“One man even said he’d read the story in the Guardian and felt like he had been served divorce papers.


“After all the positive feedback from customers, somebody rang before Christmas asking about buying the place and it just hit me that I don’t want to sell it.”


The change of heart will also inspire a new way of business at The Sandhurst with a greater focus on themed nights and a more family-run set-up.


“The plan going forward is to focus on weddings and theme nights because we are the only licensed premises in the area. I want The Sandhurst to be a real asset to Middlewich.”


“My son and daughter will also be helping out as well so it will be a real family business which is what I wanted.”


To celebrate the new start in Middlewich, The Sandhurst will be offering an exclusive wedding pack for up to 50 day guests and up to 75 evening guests for weddings booked or held before February 2016.


Also, to celebrate the new chef, Rowena is offering £10 off the total bill when spending at least £20 from the ala carte menu, excluding theme nights. Just quote ‘Guardian’ for both offers.