An Exmouth business man who is hugely well-known not just for being the owner of a popular restaurant and bar, but for also having organised so many ambitious community events in the town, has announced with ‘sadness and regret’ a change of direction for 2025 that has come as a shock to many people.
George Nightingale, who has run Spoken in the Strand for the past 14 years, has confirmed the venue has closed as of ‘immediate effect’ and that he will no longer be organising events in the town. He has literally gone out with big bang having organised the town’s recent huge new year’s eve event that aimed to recreate Exmouth’s reputation as being the fancy dress party capital.
The long-term future of Spoken remains uncertain.
In a two-page letter shared on Spoken’s Facebook page, George has cited the reasons for his decision which include the hospitality industry being in dire straits, the risks of being an independent business owner, events running at a loss and ‘devious attempts’ made to ruin his events and business.
George, who is renowned for speaking out in a bid to make changes for local businesses and residents, said in the letter: “Being a small business owner, the amount of hard work and risk that goes into opening and running a business should not be estimated. With no promise of security, a pension, healthcare or all the other benefits that employment can bring, it can be a lonely place to be.
“No matter the benefits of one form of employment or the other, after 14 years of trading, the time has come time to evaluate Spoken’s future operations in Exmouth, both in the physical premises and for the wider events.”
He added: “Therefore, it is with sadness and regret that I write to inform you that with immediate effect, Spoken will be closing and all future efforts to try and generate business for the wider town that I hold so dear to my heart.
“We have evolved over the years from an ‘upmarket’ café to street-food theme restaurant, and now to a Mediterranean-themed venue offering tapas, wine and cocktails. We are now simply unable to trade in Exmouth alongside the larger chains and other great businesses that seem to be in such high demand.
“With Tesco vouchers, half price deals and delivery services – how can we offer the public what they are clearly looking for.
Oktoberfest in Exmouth
(Image: George Nightingale/Oktoberfest)
“There is the potential for finger pointing in so many directions but I, of course, have to point the finger at myself for failing to adjust, adapt, and manage the changes that have taken place. Ultimately the hospitality industry (in the main) is in dire straits – and is set to only get worse.
“For the events side of things, it has been a pleasure to create some very special memories. It has given a platform for people to start their own business, for charities to collect donations, and in particular this Christmas, for choirs and groups to perform and showcase what they are all about.”
George, who has organised events including Oktoberfest, Party in the Park and Exmouth and East Devon’s Christmas Village, added that the last four events he has run suffered a ‘substantial loss’.
He said: “There has been wonderful support from so many people over the years which I thank you all for. However, there have been all manner of devious attempts made to damage events and business from those closest to me, from those in authority, and from those with petty agenda that go against the greater good.”
Ending on a happy note, he said: “The memories we created together were worth every second and they can’t be taken away.”