Cupola House in Bury St Edmunds on market after Bourgee closure

A Grade I listed building in Bury St Edmunds is back on the market after just a year, following the closure of a town centre restaurant.

Cupola House, on The Traverse, is being marketed by leisure property specialist Fleurets with a new lease and a nil premium, after steak and lobster restaurant Bourgee closed its doors in April.

Gareth Hatton, from Fleurets, said: “Cupola House gets its name from the distinctive cupola at the top of the building. The Latin translates as ‘barrel’, but cupolas are traditionally small dome-shaped features at the top of a building, primarily used to admit air and light, as well as a lookout point.

"This particular cupola is large enough to accommodate 5 people standing and enjoying pre-dinner drinks, whilst watching the sun set over Bury St Edmunds, or an ideal private dining area for 2. The property itself is located over four floors and benefits from a trade kitchen on each level facilitated by a dumbwaiter.”

The property was badly damaged by fire in 2012 but underwent a 5-year restoration under the guidance of English Heritage.

The property has also been linked to English author Daniel Defoe, famed for having written Robinson Crusoe.

Defoe is reported to have visited Bury St Edmunds in 1704, having just served a prison sentence for the publication of Shortest Way with the Dissenters, which displeased the Anglican Church. The property’s famous encounter has been immortalised by a plaque inside of building.

Further details are available at: www.fleurets.com/search/all-properties/search-for-e-816508