28 Market Place closes with ‘heaviest of hearts’

Somerset restaurant, bakery and wine shop, 28 Market Place, has closed after three years of trading.

It was founded by ex-Babington House director Ben Crofton, his wife Vanessa and chef Dan Fletcher in January 2020 and offered a variety of West Country and British produce.

At the time of closure, the new directors were Philip Norris and Martin Bowles, with Matt Heeley as head chef. The founders had parted ways with the investor and the company in November 2022.

The 26-cover restaurant worked closely with local suppliers such as Ivy House Dairy Farm, Plotgate Farm and Burrow Hill Cider.

The bakery was led by bakery manager Alba Lage, formerly of Soho Farmhouse in Oxfordshire, as well as Ettore Mello of Nopi in London’s Soho and Arthur Stokes of the Bread Station in London Fields.

The team announced the news on Instagram over the Easter weekend, posting: “It is with the heaviest of hearts that we have to tell you that 28, the bakery and the wine shop will not be opening again. We did all we could until the very end but it just wasn’t enough.

“Thank you all, for the good times, the services filled with love and joy, your company and your custom. We are eternally grateful to you all.”

The venue has promised that it will reimburse deposits and vouchers but asked that people “give us the time we need to look after our staff first”.