Restaurant closes after 10 years

Owner Sean Hill failed to find someone suitable for the business

A restaurant in Ludlow which was once ranked among the top 20 eating establishments around the world has finally closed after 10 years.

The Merchant House in Lower Corve Street shut down after owner Sean Hill failed to find a suitable restaurateur to take over the business.

The award-winning chef who put Ludlow on the world food map is hanging up his apron to move onto new projects.

Mr Hill now plans to turn the listed property into a private property.

Business opportunities

The Merchant House was named 14th in the list of the top 20 restaurants in the world by Restaurant Magazine in April 2003.

It was also listed as one of the top ten establishments in the UK in 2002.

Sean Hill, who ran the Merchant House with his wife Anja, decided not to sell it as a going concern as he had been unhappy with the choice of people coming forward to buy the restaurant.

Mr Hill served his last meal on Saturday and is now considering various business opportunities.