Owner of The Walnut Tree in Thwaite, near Eye, thanks customers after weekend power outage

A business owner has thanked her customers for their support after having to turn away a fully-booked restaurant at the weekend due to a power outage.

Jan Wise, who owns The Walnut Tree, a vegetarian and vegan pub on the A140 at Thwaite, near Eye, was welcoming a table of 11 on Saturday lunchtime when disaster struck.

The restaurant, along with thousands of households across Norfolk and Suffolk, was hit by a power cut as Storm Bert brought torrential rain and high winds to many part of the country.

“It was devastating as it was going to be our busiest shift of the week, with about 50 to 60 customers booked,” said Mrs Wise.

“Just before midday, the power went out as our first people arrived in the bar – it took us totally by surprise.”

Not knowing how long the power would be out, staff were forced to turn people away.

Mrs Wise said: “Then more diners arrived and we did not know what to do or what to say, it was such a shame.”

The owner of the award-winning restaurant and shop then began calling the rest of her diners to tell them the situation.

“All the customers we spoke to were amazing and so understanding,” she said.

Power did return in time for the dinner service, but Mrs Wise said she felt bad telling people they could not eat there earlier in the day.

“Everybody was so lovely, but it still feels horrible that you have to turn people away when they have booked and got ready to have lunch here with friends and family,” she said.

“I would like to thank everyone who was affected, for booking in the first place and for being so understanding and supportive.

“They all said they would be coming back and that support is exactly what small businesses need at the moment, so I thank them so much for that.

“Since opening in 2017, we have come through covid and rising energy prices; this was just another blow through no fault of anyone.

“We just had to shut the restaurant and draw a line under the whole thing, which was very frustrating for us all.”

The business celebrated the first year of it barn-style vegetarian shop next to the restaurant in September.