Mokhless and Sandra Bouzayen, experienced restaurateurs from High Wycombe in Buckinghamshire, are the new owners of the Owl and the Pussycat in South Devon.
The animal-friendly restaurant, which is just off the town centre in Teignmouth, won the 2006 RSPCA Good Business award for its promotion of animal welfare, which extended to the use of quality, traceable ingredients and sponsorship of the Devon Wildlife Trust.
Teignmouth is located below the Haldon Hills at the estuary of the River Teign and is just eight miles from Torquay and 12 miles from Exeter.
The restaurant, which served modern British cuisine, occupies a Grade II-listed building just off the town centre that can seat 70 guests across three trading areas – a 24-seat main restaurant, an adjoining 16-seat gallery and a 30-seat function room on the first floor.
The gardens can seat another 25 guests and the second floor is used as two-bedroom accommodation for the owners.
The Exeter office of Christie + Co sold the freehold off an asking price of £450,000 on behalf of Helga Stephenson and Nick Beer.
By Angela Frewin