1066 At The Chequers in Bressingham stops serving French food and wine in protest of country's government

A Bressingham restaurant has taken all French fare off its menu in protest at their government’s treatment towards the United Kingdom.

1066 At The Chequers has vowed to stop stocking any food and wine from across the Channel until our continental cousins take “a more amenable approach” towards the UK.

Owner Michael Knox-Johnson cited Paris’ approach to post-Brexit fishing rights as a reason for the decision.

“It’s something I feel quite strongly about,” he said.

“I’m not anti-French – I’m just disappointed with their approach and the situation the country is now in.

“Take the approach on fishing – we sell a lot of fish and we specialise in it, but I feel that France wants more than what has been agreed and what’s sensible, and our fishermen are suffering.

“We have always had a good relationship with the French but I don’t think it’s fair. We don’t get the same problems from Norway or Holland.

“I’m not trying to offend anybody, and I’m not excusing aspects of our own government, but this is my little way of saying ‘this is wrong’.”

The restaurant had stocked French wines since it opened in 2017. Now, diners will see a message attached to the wine list, signed by Mr Knox-Johnson, which reads: “This has been a very difficult year for the hospitality sector with Covid-19, frequent lockdowns and also our departure from the European Union.

“The approach of our friends and neighbours in Europe has been disappointing, with the leadership in France in particular showing a mean and rather childish attitude to any future relationship.

“It is now essential that we show support to those who have supported us now and in the future and we will, therefore, no longer purchase French wine and food until the French politicians show a more amenable approach to us.”

Mr Knox-Johnson said the decision has been largely supported by his customers, and encouraged people to try things they would have otherwise overlooked.

“Without question, people have said ‘we are entirely with you’,” he added.

“It’s given our guests a chance to try other wines, which has been quite interesting. People are trying more wines from Chile and South Africa, and it’s given the opportunity to promote more British products, too, which is great.”