A Bristol restaurant which was named as one of the best in the UK last month has been put up for sale.
Wilks in Redland was one of only two restaurants in the city to be included in the Top 50 of the Waitrose Good Food Guide 2020, alongside Casamia, coming in at number 42.
The Chandos Road restaurant, which opened in 2012 and earned a Michelin star just months later, was also one of 16 in Bristol to feature in the AA Restaurant Guide 2020, which was published earlier this month.
Inspectors from the guide praised a 'versatile culinary output' with 'many memorable highs, including the top-drawer meats'.
And Bristol Live food critic Mark Taylor was impressed when he visited the classy establishment, run by James Wilkins and his wife Christine Vayssade, in June, awarding it five stars thanks to its food which was 'of the highest quality'.
But the couple have now decided to put the restaurant up for sale, which will no doubt come as a shock to many.
Speaking to Bristol Live, James said he is delighted that Wilks has earned a reputation as one of Bristol's top restaurants.
"It was always our dream to set up a fine dining restaurant together," he said. "We opened Wilks over seven years ago and we are so grateful it has been such a success.
"Bristol has welcomed us with open arms and we wish to offer our sincerest thanks to all our wonderful customers, suppliers and staff past and present who have helped us to develop Wilks into the restaurant it is today."
The reason for selling up is not down to a lack of trade, of course, but instead because James and Christine have been offered an opportunity they simply could not refuse.
"As for our reasons to sell the restaurant, it has been a difficult decision for Christine and I to make," he said.
"We have been approached for an exciting and challenging new project outside the UK that we could not turn down.
"Christine and I travelled with our jobs for years before settling in Bristol and the idea of discovering a new country is very enticing to us.
"In the meantime Wilks is open as usual and we look forward to seeing you all soon."
The site is being marketed by Fleurets, with a guide price of £175,000.
Fleurets' website states that the restaurant is 'exceptionally presented' with a 'strong trading history'.
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