Pura Vida Pans in Norfolk announces closure after four years

Duncan Abel has announced the closure of Pura Vida Pans, a mobile catering business known for its large pan paellas and vibrant flavours.

The 53-year-old has said the business is ending as he turns his attention to Norfolk Crumble, run by his fiancée, Shelley Crosby.

Duncan Abel and his fiancée Shelley Crosby, the owner of Norfolk Crumble. (Image: Duncan Abel)

"We have had some particularly fantastic experiences at Folk East Festival as well as some wonderful private bookings," Mr Abel said.

"But the crumble business is the way forward so now I am focusing on helping Shelley with Norfolk Crumble."

Pura Vida Pans has served customers across Norfolk, Suffolk, Cambridgeshire, south Lincolnshire and north Essex over the past four years. 

The company specialised in paella, but also offered a variety of catering options for events and celebrations.

"What started as an idea became something far bigger than I ever expected and looking back, I’m incredibly proud of what we created and of all the memories that came with it," he explained.

"It was a genuine privilege to be invited into those moments and to play a small part in making them memorable."

Shelley Crosby and her partner, Duncan Abel (Image: Norfolk Crumble)

He also paid special tribute to his fiancée, Ms Crosby, who owns Norfolk Crumble.

"Quite simply, Pura Vida Pans would never have happened without her," he said.

"She gave me the confidence to take an idea and actually do something with it."

Ms Crosby opened Norfolk Crumble in its first permanent shop in Hamilton Road in Cromer last October and has proved a hit with customers looking for a sweet treat.

"Closing Pura Vida Pans gives me the opportunity to put more of my time and energy behind Shelley and Norfolk Crumble, just as she did for me," Mr Abel added.