THE owners of the popular Hartford restaurant Chime have put the business up for sale, saying they now want to focus on other business interests.

Liz Craig and Sarah Walker made their dream a reality four years ago when they bought a vacant building in Chester Road, Hartford, and turned it into a bustling bar and restaurant.

Now, Liz and Sarah say the time has come to put Chime up for sale but the pair stress that the decision was made with a heavy heart.

In a statement made upon putting the business on the market, Liz and Sarah said: “For us, Chime was a dream that became a reality just over four years ago. We had moved into the village of Hartford a few years previous and every time we walked past the empty shop that it once was, we always said it would make a lovely wine bar and restaurant.

“Luckily when it came up for auction we secured it and that dream of ours very quickly turned into many months of sympathetic renovation and eventually what it is today, a popular eatery in the heart of Hartford.

“The shop had been empty for 12 years when we bought it at auction in October 2013. It is home to the village's historic fire bell, which inspired the name Chime and which we helped to refurbish with Hartford Civic Society.

“We have been keen to preserve the historic nature of the building and have kept many of the original features, of which we are very proud.

“The decision to sell Chime was a very difficult one, but for us personally, this is the perfect time to focus on our other business ventures.”

Chime has been put up for sale through business property advisor Christie & Co and is on the market on a freehold basis at an asking price of £775,000.

Keith Stringer, director at Christie & Co, said: “Following extensive refurbishment, Chime is presented to the market in immaculate condition.

“As it is currently trading profitably under management, Chime presents a turnkey opportunity for a potential purchaser looking to invest in the restaurant sector. Furthermore, an owner-operator looking to run the business in a hands-on manner could also do so whilst simultaneously reducing operating costs.”