From 1973 onwards, the authors of this website lost contact with Mr Willis and his family, and can only speculate on the continuing demise of the business.
Mr Willis re-married in 1974. We believe his new wife worked in the cafe, while Mr Willis concentrated on the motor repair workshop operation.
A few years later, the workshop was fenced off from the cafe and fuel station, and these two operations sold (in 1978) to Big Fry (Norfolk) Ltd. Later, the fuel station was sold on to J&J Howlet (Garage) Ltd. During the ‘Big Fry’ period, the cafe was re-branded as the ‘Hungry Horse’, and later as ‘Necton Diner’. An extension on the front of the cafe kitchen was added at this time to provide a take-away fish & chip service.
On a visit to the cafe by members of the Rudge family in April 2006, (when the premises were trading under the Necton Diner name) the following photographs were taken:
These photographs show that a number of changes had been made to the counter area; a false ceiling significantly lowers the ceiling height and enables concealed lighting; the re-decoration is clean and ‘crisp’; and new tables and chairs help to make the cafe inviting.
Unfortunately, the changes appear to have failed to save the cafe itself, which finally closed (we believe) c2008.
At some point, like many other fuel stations across the UK, the fuel station was closed. The premises were sold (or leased) to other businesses, and are still in use (2014).
Finally, in late 2010, or early 2011, the vehicle repair workshop was sold, and is still in use as a vehicle maintenance/repair operation.
Mr Willis died in December 2010.
No longer used, the cafe building and its surroundings started to show signs of decay. The grounds became significantly overgrown, and the building itself suffered significant deterioration.
The following photos were taken in August 2014, and show the poor state of the building, and its surroundings.
A view from the north east:
A view of the rear of the cafe showing how nature is taking over . . . . . !
. . . . and a view of that tiled floor taken through a window (sorry about the apparent greenery inside, which is actually a reflection from the window glass).
A sad end to the Rudge dream.
We guess that what happens next is inevitable?
Memories
No entries – watch this space.