An award-winning gluten-free bed and breakfast and pub in Norfolk has closed permanently, delivering what locals have described as a devastating blow to the community. The Dove Inn in Alburgh served its final customers on Friday, January 16, 2026, after two and a half years in business.
A Difficult Location and a Wider Crisis
Owner Sonya Resemblance confirmed the sad news, pointing directly to the venue's "difficult location" as the primary cause for a critical lack of passing trade. She noted that potential customers often drove past the premises at speed, making it a challenge to attract initial visits. This closure is not an isolated incident but part of a growing crisis within Britain's pub and hospitality sector, where hundreds of establishments are shutting each year amid soaring costs and shifting consumer habits.
The industry's struggles were highlighted last year when pub landlords warned of the risk of the sector "dying" after being hit with "astronomical" cost increases. In a stark statistic, approximately 300 pubs closed in the first three months of 2025 alone. The beloved White Horse in Beaconsfield, for example, closed for good earlier this month.
Accolades and Community Impact Cut Short
The closure is particularly poignant given The Dove Inn's recent accolades and significant community role. Just weeks before shutting, the business was named one of the UK’s top 50 cafés at the 2025 Small Business Awards. Furthermore, it had scooped two prestigious Norfolk prizes in Luxlife Magazine’s Food and Drink Awards: Emerging Hospitality Business of the Year and B&B and Pub of the Year.
Sonya Resemblance, who took over the inn in July 2023, was especially proud of offering a menu that was completely gluten-free, creating a safe dining space for those with coeliac disease or intolerances. Beyond food, the inn provided vital social spaces, jobs, training opportunities, and hosted events aimed at boosting mental wellbeing. "We have loved every minute of cooking, baking and serving you," Sonya wrote in a farewell message.
Last-Ditch Efforts and Customer Outpouring
In late December 2025, the business had issued a warning about the severe pressures facing retail and hospitality, vowing to fight to survive. A final push from loyal customers ensued, but it was not enough to secure the inn's future. The announcement prompted an immediate and emotional wave of support from the community.
Hundreds of messages poured in, with one customer writing: "So, so sorry to hear this. Thank you for giving us all somewhere so lovely to meet up and for all the amazing food. Really hope you might be back one day." The owner expressed deep gratitude for the support but reiterated that the location ultimately prevented the thriving community hub from becoming financially sustainable.
