The owner of a popular steak and seafood restaurant in Cromer has said that it is “with sadness” that she has put the business up for sale following the death of her husband.
Hot Rocks, in Garden Street, opened in Cromer in 2017, and has been run by husband and wife John and Donna Lee for the last six years.
Mr Lee died following a short illness last month, aged 60.
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The restaurant currently remains open but is up for sale.
“We made the decision about two months ago,” Mrs Lee said.
“His cancer went from curable to treatable, so we discussed the future of Hot Rocks. I wanted to be at home more to spend more time with him and the family.
“It’s been a hard decision to make because I’ve loved the restaurant, but I had to put things into perspective: I’m only 55 and I’ve just lost my husband.
“Life’s short and I need to have more family time and to nurture the business that we’ve already got.
“It’s been lovely, and it will be sad to go, but I have to look after my family.”
Mr Lee was an eighth-generation fisherman who began crab fishing when he left school.
He sold his catch at his family’s crab stall in New Street, which his father set up in 1957.
Mrs Lee said she “made a promise” to her late husband that she would keep the crab stall open to continue his family’s legacy.
The stall continues to be run by two of his children, John Henry and Jamie-Louise.
“It was his wish that it carried on,” Mrs Lee said.
“We’ve got customers at the crab stall who used to come with their grandparents when they were little and now come with grandchildren of their own.”
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Hot Rocks remains open until a buyer is found.
The restaurant is open Tuesday through to Saturday, from 12pm to 3pm, then 5pm to 7.30pm (last orders).
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