Junction 28, the popular Newport restaurant co-owned by chef Jon West and former Welsh League international Richard Wallace, has attracted a wealth of interest and viewings since specialist property adviser Christie + Co took it to market last month.

But while the restaurant is up for sale for £875,000, Jon West is keen to reiterate to customers that it remains ‘business as usual’ for the establishment.

He said: “It is sad that we have had to place the restaurant on the market. But while we await developments from the sales process, I would like to reassure both our loyal, and new, customers, that we are still very much open for business.”

Richard Wallace bears the battle scars from a 15-year rugby career and it is the toll of these wounds that have led him to sell Junction 28. Last year, he sold the Llanwenarth Hotel in Abergavenny as the physical strain of running the hotel became too much for his toiling limbs.

The sale of the 200-cover restaurant is being handled by Christie + Co’s Nicholas Calfe.

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

“It is testament to Richard and Jon’s professionalism, and their respect for Junction 28’s loyal customers, that they will continue to operate the restaurant and fulfil existing bookings while the process to sell the restaurant continues.”