AN AWARD winning Michelin recommended restaurant in Whitchurch has announced it will no longer be relocating to an iconic town building.

Docket No 33 in High Street is owned and run by Stuart and Frances Collins and they announced in November last year they intended to move into the Tudor style old Natwest bank in 16-18 High Street by spring this year.

The owners of 16-18 High Street, Ron and Kassie Courson, had been granted planning permission by Shropshire Council in December last year to turn the building into a hotel and restaurant.

The restaurant owners confirmed on Docket's Facebook page, the move will not be going ahead.

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Mr and Mrs Collins said: "If the plan doesn’t work, change the plan but never the goal.

"It's hard to imagine just a few weeks ago we were in full swing and planning the move to a new venue which would allow us to bring to life our dream of Docket Restaurant with rooms.

"Yet, here we are announcing that we are unable to realise this dream just now and will not be making the move to Elizabethan House.

"Following a change of direction from the landlords, which meant we would no longer be able to encompass the bedroom suites within our offering, we have had to concede that we cannot fulfil our overall goal of having a place where people can dine and stay within this venue."

Mr and Mrs Collins said they were devastated not to be making the move, but thanked people in the town for the support received since November last year and have plans for their current premesis.

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They added: "We are truly devastated that we cannot continue on this journey as moving and adding the rooms would have brought so many positives for the restaurant, the team within, and also for the town and county too.

"We were overwhelmed by the response and great support that we received upon announcing the move and thank everyone for that.

"We're not ones for resting on our laurels and already have plans afoot for our existing home at 33 High Street to enhance our restaurant offering.

"For now, our bookings are open until the end of June and we look forward to welcoming you back to the restaurant soon."

Mr and Mrs Courson said they were disappointed with the decision but wished the Docket's the very best.

They said: "We wish them all the very best in the future.

"We will continue with our plans of restoring beautiful Elizabethan House.

"It is still our goal to have a restaurant downstairs.

"We are working with the let agent to find a tenant.

"We will continue with the luxury hotel rooms upstairs, a little store shop, and more."

You can follow the latest from Docket No 33 by visiting https://www.facebook.com/DocketNo.33