Mystery as chef quits his business

A Shropshire restaurant boss mysteriously closed his business - leaving a booking list full of disappointed customers and claims of unpaid debts to suppliers.

Baptiste Lamont, chef and proprietor of Bon Appetit at Swancote, near Bridgnorth, left the restaurant apparently without informing dozens of customers who had paid deposits for meals.

The restaurant has now been taken over and reopened as a carvery.

It is believed French-born Mr Lamont, who only opened the gourmet restaurant in November last year, has returned to his homeland to be reunited with wife Susan and the couple's children.

Diners said they found the building in darkness when they turned up at the restaurant for a meal last weekend.

Now new owner Scott Taylor, who also runs neighbouring Swancote Health and Fitness Club, has taken over the premises and opened a buffet and carvery.

He said today he had "no idea" where Mr Lamont had gone. "When we went into the restaurant we found a diary with the bookings listed," he said.

"We managed to contact many of the diners who had reserved but unfortunately for some we were unable to reach them. Many had unfortunately paid deposits.

"There have also been a few suppliers turning up who have been owed money but that's just a hazard of business and we have had to explain what has happened," said Mr Taylor.