Newport tea room up for sale as owner looks forward to a slower pace of life

The Tudor building said to have been one of two buildings on Newport's high street to escape the Great Fire of Newport in 1665, is currently up for sale.

Jackie, who at the time was working as a holistic therapist, took on the building after a particularly prophetic dream back in 2014.

She said: "I had a dream that I took on a tea room, then the next day I had an email saying it was for sale. I believe in that kind of thing, if things are meant to be then they will be."

After some financial help from friends and family, Jackie was able to take on the lease, before she and her brother bought the whole building between them four years ago.

While Jackie said she has enjoyed her time at the helm, she said she's ready for a slower pace of life.

She said: "It's quite a stressful thing to do something like this on your own. It's enjoyable and I'm lucky that I've got a good team of staff, I don't have to worry about it. I'd like some time to myself now."

The team have recently celebrated scoring a five-star hygiene rating - a grand achievement for any building that has stood the test of time for more than four centuries.

Records state Smallwood was built around 1600 as a dwelling and extended during the 17th century before being re-faced in the 19th when it was used for other purposes.

The listing suggested the new owners would be able to convert it back into a residential property - but Jackie would like to see it continue serving the people of Newport.

"There's a lot of potential, we don't work evenings but it's licensed to open in the evenings," she said. "There are not too many restaurants in Newport, there are takeaways but Newport is begging out for a restaurant."