103 restaurant on Unthank Road appears to have closed following rumours that the owners had gone into administration.

Mystery surrounds the future of popular Norwich restaurant 103, on Unthank Road.

Chefs Brendan Ansbro (left) and Sam Hanison at 103 Unthank Road. Photo: Paul Hewitt.

The cafe-come-deli-come-restaurant has proved very successful in recent years but its blinds are currently lowered and furniture stacked up amid rumours of financial troubles.

Neighbouring businesses and local residents have been left wondering about the sudden closure of 103 but no one is sure whether the restaurant has been closed permanently or not.

However this morning a notice appeared in the window of 103, pictured right, reading: “Many thanks for all your support and custom over the last three years, Sam and Brendan.”

The restaurant was opened in January 2009 by a pair of award-winning chefs, Brendan Ansbro and Sam Hanison. Between them the pair had cooked for musical theatre composer Andrew Lloyd Webber, hotel inspector and television presenter Ruth Watson and some of the city’s best known restaurants, including Tatler’s and Adlards.

103 restaurant on Unthank Road in Norwich has closed.

Mr Hanison’s father, Andrew, bought the Unthank Arms pub and turned it into one of the city’s most popular drinking and eating venues.

While Mr Ansbro is highly regarded by the UK’s chefs and food critics and has contributed to cookery books by people, including Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall.

Attempts to contact 103’s management have so far proved unsuccessful.

Do you know what is happening at 103? Contact reporter David Freezer on 01603 772418 or david.freezer@archant.co.uk