Newport's Junction 28 restaurant still open amid strong interest in sale

Newport restaurant Junction 28, co-owned by chef Jon West and former Welsh rugby league international Richard Wallace, has seen significant interest since it was put on the market last month, but is continuing to trade until an agreement has been reached.

Specialist property agent Christie + Co has taken the 200-seat site to market for a freehold price of £875,000, after the owners said they wanted to sell.

This was primarily due to Wallace's desire to take a break, as he is reportedly suffering from health problems related to the battle scars of his 15-year rugby career. He also sold his former hotel, the Llanwenarth in Abergavenny, last year.

It has been owned by the duo for the past 20 years, and serves simple yet well-presented dishes such as twice-baked goat's cheese soufflé, marinated pork belly, scallops with bubble and squeak, grilled sea bass, and steak.

Christie + Co's Nicholas Calfe paid tribute to Wallace and West's commitment to the business, and praised them for keeping it open and running for regulars and existing bookings.

He added that he was not surprised by the level of interest in the place.

He said: "Under Richard Wallace and Jon West's stewardship, Junction 28 has become an established, popular and highly profitable restaurant business in South Wales. So it was inevitable that the business would attract good interest."