A HAMPSHIRE landowner has defended their decision to close an independent restaurant due to the sale of donuts.

Barker-Mill Estate has said that Offbeet food must leave its venue because the sale of donuts goes "against their core values".

Peter Axworthy, owner of the restaurant, is being forced to look for a new venue for his business due to the sale of donuts.

Peter, from Romsey, has been told by Barker-Mill Estate - the company which own the land - that he must leave because the sale of donuts gives the "wrong image" for Sunnyfields Farm.

A representative from Longdown Management Limited said: “We are constantly reviewing the occupiers across our premises to ensure they are aligned with our values. Whilst we recognise the doughnuts Offbeet sells are a luxury treat, the way they have been marketed in recent weeks goes against our core values around health and wellbeing.

“Offbeet have been asked to vacate the premises and have been given six months’ notice to enable them to relocate to suitable alternative premises.”

As previously reported Peter only began selling donuts during January in a bid to help his small business cope during lockdown. The restaurant began opening between 12 and 3pm on Saturday and Sunday and served take-out food such as bagels and vegan quiches.

The restaurant began making donuts as a sweet treat to sell.

Last week, Sunnyfields Farm - who sub-let the land to Offbeet Food - contacted the restaurant following a discussion with land owners Barker-Mill Estate.

Barker-Mill Estate is reported to have said that donuts a "high in sugar and are linked to obesity". A few days after this, Barker-Mill Estate requested that Offbeet Food left the farm.

Peter said: "I put an email together to go to Barker-Mill Estate to explain that these are luxury treats and that we sell plenty of other items that are high in sugar.

"A day later I had a response discrediting what I said, and they wanted a full sugar-breakdown analysis of each donut we sell.

"I was lost for words.

"I shut my restaurant, to have a bit of respect and let things settle down.

"After that, the owners said we want you off the farm."