The former owners of a popular Tenterden restaurant have denied quitting the town with a sharp broadside.

Lizzie Power, who ran No 75 in the High Street with husband Tyrone, says they are not responsible for the comments on the venue’s Facebook page which referred to a town “mafia”, rude people and criticised staff.

“A number of people had access to the page and as soon as we saw the comments, we took it down,” said Lizzie.

“Those are not our comments, we did not post them. I do not know who put them there.

“Tyrone is working overseas and is far too busy to have anything to do with Facebook.

“People were very supportive of us when we were in business.”

Lizzie said they had quit the town because she wanted to be a full-time mother, which was not possible as she was heavily involved with No 75.

“We are looking at our options and may start a different type of business,” she said.

“Tyrone will carry on doing private chef work and I will look at the options of a small business at home.

“No 75 took up too much time for me, it was very difficult. One of the things we are looking at is moving back to Somerset.”

Leafy Tenterden is not home to a 'mafia', say the Powers

No 75 has been rebranded as The Wine Kitchen and taken over by Christian Ender and Gina Lowe. Gina used to be a manager for the Powers at No 75.

Lizzie added: “Gina and Christian are fantastic people and we wish them well.”
Of the Facebook comments, Gina said: “It doesn’t bother us.

“We have changed the name and have a new identity for the restaurant. We are giving people something different and have been welcomed.”

Australian Tyrone and Lizzie took over the restaurant in March, last year.

Tyrone previously worked as a private chef to the stars, cooking for The Rolling Stones, supermodel Naomi Campbell and Italian singer Andrea Bocelli.

He moved to the UK 11 years ago. The couple set up home in Smarden to run No 75.

In May the restaurant was awarded an AA rosette.