One of Bristol’s best restaurants is for sale

“After nearly four busy years, we have realised that the business needs to choose between continuing to run the restaurant, or focussing on the growing and cider making, and the growing won. The restaurant is now on the market, available for sale, and we are hoping that the sale will take place this summer.”

This was the surprising announcement made on Instagram on Friday afternoon by Becky Massey and Sam Leach of Birch in Southville.

The pair have quietly transformed the small restaurant into one of the best in Bristol and their decision to close has been met with sadness but also excitement about what the future will hold for the married couple.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BessRKwhnWV

“We have had a brilliant time growing, cooking and serving food in our lovely little neighbourhood restaurant,” Becky and Sam’s statement continued.

“It has introduced us to wonderful people, we have learnt a huge amount, worked with some of the finest cooks and waiters in Bristol, bought us a house, developed a market garden from scratch on poor soil, and nurtured a long held interest in cider into the small seed of a future business.

“None of this could have happened without the support of our customers, particularly our regulars and local customers, and we thank those of you who have spent money with us wholeheartedly.

Birch occupies a former Indian restaurant and off license

“Over the past year we have suddenly and unexpectedly been faced with some fantastic opportunities which we felt we could not turn down: to rent an ancient orchard in Chew Magna, to rent a barn in Failand, and to take on some more land for vegetable growing in Whitchurch.

“We always had long term plans to move into farming, and the time now seems right: not only is it more important than ever that sustainable agriculture has a bigger place in our food system, but these opportunities for land and facilities are not always available. Sometimes you have got to grab the fish by the tail, and we have just grabbed it.

“This isn’t the bubble bursting on the Bristol restaurant scene, the Bristol restaurant scene has never been in such health.

“We are leaving a profitable business and putting it up for sale to another operator, most likely an owner operator, who wants to buy a fully functional, well equipped and well maintained restaurant. Good accounts, fantastic staff, great location and probably the best lease of any Bristol restaurant. Do you fancy it?”

If this opportunity sounds one for you, and if you have serious interest with funding ready, email Becky and Sam via [email protected] or drop into the restaurant to speak to them.

In the meantime, it’s business as usual at Birch:

https://twitter.com/BirchBristol/status/959467427556937733