In mid-September, the great and good of the Welsh food world, and beyond, descended on Abergavenny for its popular annual food festival.

Proud Welsh suppliers, restaurateurs and independent producers flocked to the small Monmouthshire town, but just weeks after these food-fueled celebrations, Abergavenny has lost one of it’s finest restaurants.

The Hardwick, operated by chef-owner Stephen Terry, announced that it will close immediately, owning in most part to the recent theft from the business by former employees Nicola and Simon Nightingale

The Hardwick was an accomplished, unfussy pub serving some of the finest Welsh produce in a comfortable, relaxed setting.

The Hardwick faced more than its fair share of recent difficulties. Coupled with the headwinds of the past three years which has taken its toll on the wider restaurant industry, the couple who defrauded the restaurant stole upwards of £150,000 over a period of two years.

The challenge to remain open proved insurmountable.

In a recent post on Instagram, Terry noted: “The final ‘Family’ last breakfast supper. Thank you to all our staff and customers from the last 18yrs. It’s been emotional. Onwards & upwards”.                                                             

Harden’s diners described The Hardwick as a “fabulous” restaurant near Abergavenny, which was “in many ways the gastropub archetype, with its heavy focus on local ingredients and suppliers, cooked expertly, but without pretension”.