Owner of Lucy’s Pizzeria in Fornham All Saints, near Bury St Edmunds, explains why her and her husband are selling their restaurant

The owner of a pizzeria near Bury St Edmunds said running the business has been a ‘labour of love’, as she prepares to sell to new owners.

Lucy Pretorius, 27, opened Lucy’s Pizzeria in Fornham All Saints in 2019, alongside her husband Francois.

Following the arrival of the couple’s son Hugo in May, Lucy said they made the difficult decision to sell the restaurant and takeaway business, which she describes as a ‘little gem’.

Lucy explained: “With the arrival of the little one I just found myself at a bit of crossroads, I am sure a lot of working mums can relate, juggling the demands.

“It’s kind of like walking a tightrope you want to give your best to both but it’s not always possible to give 100 per cent to each at the same time.

“I did have maternity leave but you never fully shut off from it, the restaurant demands a huge amount of time and attention.”

She continued: “It was such a dream of mine to open a place with my name above the door but also so is being a mother, it’s a different type of fulfilment and I realised I didn’t want to compromise on the precious moments.”

Now Lucy said she wants to give the restaurant the ‘attention it deserves by passing the baton on to someone else’.

“It’s just this chapter of my life I think, things have to shift,” added Lucy who said she has always had an entrepreneurial nature and often thinks of new business ideas.

“We sold to a young couple and they work in hospitality, it is really exciting for them so I wish them every success.”

When Lucy and Francois first got the keys to the business, previously an organic food shop, they transformed the building into a pizzeria.

Lucy said: “It took nine months to open after we got the keys, then we navigated through Covid, it has definitely been a real labour of love.”

Takeout has always been a crucial stream of increase for the business, with lots of customers ordering once a week.

The pizza chef and all other members of staff will be staying on with the new owners, meaning customers will still be able to enjoy their pizza recipe.

Since announcing she is moving on, Lucy has been reading ‘amazing’ comments from well-wishers which has made her feel emotional.

She said: “Although the restaurant is closing we really do have memories that will last a lifetime, from crazy sell out nights with takeout, to lockdown and wedding receptions, we hope to see everyone in the coming weeks before we bid farewell.”

She added: “We are grateful for our amazing team at the restaurant, we’ve always been lucky to have staff that really care.”

Lucy’s Pizzeria will close on December 23. However, takeout pizzas will still be available to order online, until the sale of the restaurant in the new year.