Battle of the wine buffs erupts in Wells-next-the-Sea

But an attempt by a renowned connoisseur to open a new shop and bar on the quay led to an extraordinary attempt by the town's only other outlet to thwart its rival.

Bert Blaize - an up-and-coming star of the industry - had lodged plans with the council to open North Norfolk Cellars in a former chandlery on the corner of Standard Road and East Quay.

Bert Blaize has opened his new wine shop and bar, North Norfolk Cellars in Wells-next-the-Sea (Image: Bert Blaize)

But there was distaste among some locals at the 35-year-old's vision, and eight people objected, raising concerns about the noise that would be caused by people drinking there up until 9.30pm - the closing time he had applied for.

Fortunately for Mr Blaize - who has been nominated Young Sommelier of the Year by the likes of GQ and Imbibe - North Norfolk district councillors disagreed and granted permission for a premises license at a meeting earlier this week.

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The new shop and bar will serve 'fine wines' and it has opened opposite the harbour in Wells-next-the-Sea (Image: Sonya Duncan)

But at the hearing, it emerged that one of the figures behind the attempts to halt the plans had been none other than Richard Turfrey, a rival wine seller who runs Wells Wine Shop and Bar, just 250 metres away.

In his letter to the council, Mr Turfrey - who did not disclose his connection to his own fine wine bar, which opened last summer - said the arrival of the new business would lead to the "quiet enjoyment" of neighbours being "lost forever".

"The tranquil environment that has been enjoyed in this part of the town for hundreds of years will be lost," he added.

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Richard Turfrey runs the Wells Wine Shop in Staithe Street, Wells (Image: Sonya Duncan)

He had apparently been unaware that his name would be published as part of the planning process and initially said he intended to take legal action when it emerged ahead of the meeting - although the council clearly states names and addresses of objectors will be made public unless there is a "genuine fear of intimidation".

Happily, though, the wine war of Wells already seems to be abating.

Before the meeting, and after his name was made public, Mr Turfrey withdrew his objection to NNDC and Mr Blaize told the hearing that he had been to see him to apologise.

The picturesque harbour at Wells-next-the-Sea, with boats basking in beautiful sunshine. (Image: Denise Bradley)

Mr Blaize, who has written a book called Which Wine When, told councillors: "He admitted he objected as he thought it would affect his trade."

Mr Blaize also claimed that Mr Turfrey had told him he had encouraged others to "object on his behalf".

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Wells is a popular tourist destination in the county, known for scenic views from across its harbour (Image: Chris Bishop)

He told the meeting: "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."

Looking along Standard Road towards the harbour and Mr Blaize's new wine shop (Image: Google)

While relations between the two now seem cordial Mr Turfrey had a slightly different version of events to that outlined by Mr Blaize in the meeting.

He denied that he had encouraged other locals to complain. "I did not apologise, this is an absolute lie," he said.

He said his initial objection had led to accusations of hypocrisy in the town.

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Mr Blaize has even named in the top 50 most influential people in the wine industry by Drinks Business. (Image: Bert Blaize)

"I was not very happy that my name was used. It caused me a bit of bother in the town with the locals. People called me a hypocrite."

Mr Turfrey applied to NNDC in February this year to vary his premises licence, which would allow him to serve alcohol until midnight - two and a half hours longer than the period Mr Blaize had applied for.

Many of the second homes and holiday cottages in Wells are concentrated around the streets near the harbour (Image: Chris Bishop)

Councillors went on to approve that application, with a condition that outside seating for customers was stopped at 8.30pm to minimise disruption to locals.

Richard Turfrey's wine bar in Staithe Street has recently applied to stay open until midnight (Image: Newsquest)

There appears to be no sour grapes between them as Mr Blaize has said he is on good terms now with Mr Turfrey and he hopes both businesses continue to prosper in the town despite the initial kerfuffle. 

"I saw him in town the other day and we had a chat.

"I am keeping things very friendly with him because I think it's good there are two places close by. We benefit each other and I think he understands that now."

Staithe Street in Wells on a busy summer's day (Image: Chris Bishop)