Hundreds of people gathered outside a city hotel to pay their respects to a much-loved restaurateur ahead of his funeral. 

Richard Hughes, chef-director of The Assembly House in Norwich, passed away in September following a long illness.

Mourners braved the rainy weather on Tuesday, lining Theatre Street and The Assembly House driveway, to honour the 63-year-old as the funeral procession passed through the award-winning venue.

Staff came out to remember Mr HughesStaff at The Assembly House came out to remember Mr Hughes (Image: Sonya Duncan) The procession made its way around Mr Hughes' former workplace at around 11.30amThe procession made its way around The Assembly House (Image: Sonya Duncan) Mr Hughes started his career as a pot was at the Imperial Hotel in Yarmouth at the age of 15Richard Hughes started his career as a pot washer at the Imperial Hotel in Great Yarmouth at the age of 15 (Image: Sonya Duncan) The nearby St Peter Mancroft tolled a special bell for the chef as the hearse paused by the fountain before leaving the hotel.

Mr Hughes worked his last shift in the kitchen in December 2023 but continued to work in other roles up until a few days before his death.

Mr Hughes took on The Assembly House in 2009Mourners outside The Assembly House in Norwich (Image: Sonya Duncan) His successes led him to winning the Outstanding Achievement Award at the Norfolk Food & Drink Awards in 2023.Richard Hughes won the Outstanding Achievement Award at the Norfolk Food & Drink Awards in 2023 (Image: Denise Bradley)

In a tribute shared to social media, his wife emphasised Mr Hughes wanted the establishment to "remain very much business as usual" but that the team was "devastated" to say goodbye.

In a letter written before his death, he said: “A lot of my sadness over the last few months has been the fact that I can’t get into my kitchen.

“It’s been my life, and the sadness for me is that I’ve lost that. I love it so much."