Merlot melee breaks out in wealthy Norfolk town after booze consultant lodges plans to open wine bar just 250m away from rival shop
A 'war' has broken out in the upmarket town of Well-next-the-Sea in Norfolk after plans were submitted by a business owner that would have doubled the number of wine bars.
The area, known as the 'Prosecco ghetto' is the centre of a feud between a wine consultant who has planned to open up a new bar just 250m from his rival's shop.
Bert Blaize - nominated as Young Sommelier of the Year by GQ - lodged plans with the council to open a wine bar called North Norfolk Cellars.
But among those to lodge a formal objection was Richard Turfrey, a rival wine seller who runs Wells Wine Shop and Bar down the road.
The pair went head to head after Richard wrote in his official objection that the 'tranquil environment that has been enjoyed in this part of the town for hundreds of years will be lost.'
Bert Blaize, 35, was nominated as Young Sommelier of the Year by GQ. He recently submitted plans with the council to open a wine bar called North Norfolk Cellars
The new wine bar would overlook the sea. It is also only 250m away from Mr Blaize's rival
The picturesque town of Well-next-the-Sea in Norfolk has become the centre of a fine bar feud after two business rivals went head to head over planning permission
Mr Blaize, 35, who has written a book called Which Wine When, received a total of eight objections around noise, excessive booze, and closing times.
Among them was the one from Mr Turfrey - who did not disclose a connection to his bar, but wrote: 'Having lived in the east end of Wells for the last eight years I have grown to understand the significance of this tranquil environment within the town and the importance of its preservation for future generations to come.
'All drinking establishments are unavoidably noisy and therefore the addition of a licensed premises will change the above mentioned environment forever and this is an absolute fact that can not be denied.
'A different type of human traffic with a different requirement will be visiting this area for the first time as a result of the premises license and this will irrevocably change this historic environment in a detrimental way forever after being protected for so long.
'There is no doubt that the permanent residents that are living directly opposite and within a stones throw will be unavoidably effected by the inevitable noise and comings and goings of a licensed premises in an environment that has never been accustomed to one; their quiet enjoyment will be lost forever and the tranquil environment that has been enjoyed in this part of the town for hundreds of years will be lost.'
Another objector did mention his wine bar however, stating: 'In conclusion we should point out that there is already a wine bar in Wells- the Wells Wine Bar in Staithe Street.
'We don't see the need for another one.'
Councillors last week approved the proposal when Richard withdrew his objections after his identity was made public on the council planning portal.
The harbour of the Norfolk town is a favourite spot for holiday homes and now wine bars
The Wells wine shop on Straithe Street belonging to Richard Turfrey who lodged a formal objection against the new wine bar proposals submitted by Bert Blaize
Mr Blaize's plan for his wine shop were submitted o the council but received eight objections in total
The building that the award-winning sommelier plans to turn into his wine bar overlooking the sea
It has since been claimed the argument was 'blown out of proportion' and that Richard believed his name would not be released.
At the meeting on Tuesday of North Norfolk District Council, Bert said he had received an apology - and claimed Richard had been trying to drum up further objections for fear of loss of trade.
He told councillors: 'Richard, the gentleman who removed his objection, he actually came to see me.
'He's the owner of the other wine bar in Wells and he admitted that he objected because he thought that it would affect his trade and he also encouraged others to object on his behalf, which is why a couple of the objections say 'we already have one wine bar in Wells, we do not need a second'.
'He apologised to me and came to me face-to-face which is pretty respectful of him and then he phoned me later to say he removed his objection.'
Speaking after the meeting, Mr Blaize said he now held no ill-will towards his wine rival.
He added: 'I wish Richard all the best and I think this has all been hugely blown out of proportion really.'
Mr Blaize, who studied Computer Game Design at university before working for the company that makes Call of Duty only got into the wine trade after being made redundant.
He now designs wine menus for restaurants and is a freelance sommelier for celebrities.
