An award-winning B&B and café in Norfolk has shut its doors, with the owner blaming its 'difficult location' for a lack of passing trade. The Dove Inn in Alburgh, which offered a fully gluten-free menu, closed on Friday after two and a half years of operation.
Owner Sonya Resemblance took over the inn in July 2023, serving brunch, lunch and popular Sunday roasts. The business had been recognised with two Norfolk prizes at Luxlife Magazine’s Food and Drink Awards for Emerging Hospitality Business of the Year and B&B and Pub of the Year, and was named one of the UK’s top 50 cafés at the 2025 Small Business Awards just weeks before closing.
Resemblance said the inn had 'created jobs and offered training opportunities' and provided vital social spaces, which she described as 'massively important for people’s mental health'. However, she added: 'We are only sad that we just couldn’t make this all come together at this location. I can only blame the location.'
The closure comes amid a growing crisis for Britain’s pubs and hospitality businesses, with hundreds shutting each year. Pub landlords warned last year that the industry was at risk of 'dying' after being hit with 'astronomical' cost rises, as 300 pubs closed in the first three months of 2025 alone. The White Horse in Beaconsfield also closed earlier this month.
News of the closure generated a wave of support from customers, with one 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.' Resemblance expressed gratitude, saying: 'Thank you everyone for your lovely comments. We have loved every minute of cooking, baking and serving you.'
