Edwinstowe restaurant in Nottinghamshire, Launay’s has officially closed after nearly 20 years in business

After 19 years and one month in business, a popular restaurant has officially closed its doors.

However, the owners who said they have a lifetime of great memories are hoping someone else will take on the premises and run it as a restaurant.

Launay's, located at 8 Church Street in Edwinstowe held its last service on New Year's Eve.

"It was very emotional when we closed, a lot of people were extremely sad," said owner Alain Launay.

"People were crying."

"We were crying as well," added his partner Alison Smith who also owns the premises.

"We have done a lot of christenings, weddings, and personal celebrations that we are proud of over the years.

"During the time we were operating we got to know people really well and we saw their children grow up.

"We really did have a community around the restaurant that we enjoyed welcoming through the doors.

"Our dream is for someone else to continue what we have built."

The pair said that the business is listed with estate agents Christie and Co.

If anyone is interested in the business, they can contact the agents or reach out to them at enquiries@launaysrestaurant.co.uk

"A lot of our young staff that we have had working with us, we have seen them blossom and it has been lovely to see them gain confidence in life," said Alison.

"That is the thing I will miss the most I think."

"In the beginning, you do have to be a bit strict with them until they build up that confidence and learn what they need to do to succeed," said Alain.

"The changes you see in their attitude and the growth you witness in them as people — to see them flourish is amazing.

"All of the staff got along and have kept in touch with each other.

"We had a lot of past staff come back before we closed, it was nice to see."

The couple said they have a lot of fond recollections of their time at the restaurant.

"We have held so many events such as comedy shows, music nights, murder mysteries, hog roasts, choirs and they were all memorable," said Alison.

"We did seven-course gourmet taster menus every month and they were highly popular."

"The goal was always to be creating different types of evenings to drive people through the doors and make it interesting for the customers," said Alain.

"You have to come up with new ways to get people involved and engaged.

"We even took customers to Brittany which they enjoyed," said Alain who is originally from France.

"We got to know a lot of people really well," he added.

"There is someone who might be interested in the business so we are hoping that this will go further."

"Our goal now is for us to semi-retire," said Alison.

"We have a new grandson and it is time for us to have a break."

"Running a restaurant day to day is time-consuming and tiring," added Alain.

"We have loved doing it but it is definitely a young person's game."