'It's our home, it's our children's home. This place means a lot to us'

Michelle Evans, owner of much-lauded restaurant Paternoster Farm, and her family have been fighting for answers after they were told their venture would be forced to close. Branwen Jones reports

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THE FOUNDER of an award-winning restaurant in Pembrokeshire has said she is "mentally exhausted" after she received news that it would have to close later this year.

Paternoster Farm, in the village of Hundleton, Pembrokeshire, has been praised for serving some of the very best food in Wales and has received rave reviews by the likes of The Good Food Guide, The Times, and Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall.

It employs around 12 members of staff and sources tens of thousands of pounds' worth of produce from local suppliers.

But last month, its founder, Michelle Evans, confirmed the restaurant would have to close as their lease on the farm had not been renewed by its landlord, Pembrokeshire county council.

Since receiving the news, Michelle and her family have been fighting for answers from the local authority.

The mother-of-two has expressed frustration at the council's handling of the situation, claiming they haven't provided her with answers on why the business' future was abruptly cut short and offered to another party without consultation.

"It's been mentally exhausting," Michelle said. "When I already had a full life anyway the farm work, the restaurant, admin, and kids this happens.

"I've got two kids who maybe we're not doing as much with them as we would normally try and fit in because I'm working on this.

"I'm constantly writing something. I'm doing FOI [freedom of information request], then another FOI, and then another FOI. It takes a lot out of you. I'm just exhausted by it all."

The family have been at Paternoster Farm since 2016 after Michelle and her husband, Leum, decided to take over the smallholding's tenancy for 10 years.

Michelle started out with a beach hut, which focused on street food, before deciding to start a business in the farm's former milking parlour.