Paul Heathcote takes Longridge restaurant off the market

Chef restaurateur Paul Heathcote has taken his flagship Longridge restaurant in Preston, Lancashire, off the market after four months.

Heathcote had put the former two-Michelin-starred restaurant up for sale in March after 20 years to focus on growing his more casual restaurant business the Olive Press brand.

At the time he told Caterersearch that the business had become considerably bigger and the Longridge restaurant needed a new proprietor to give it the necessary attention to run it successfully.

But Heathcote has now taken the restaurant off the market and brought back former manager and head chef team Kath and Chris Bell to oversee its running.

The pair, who currently run the White Bull pub at Ribchester, managed the restaurant until 2006, with Kath in charge of operations and Chris, a former Gordon Ramsay Scholarship winner, overseeing the kitchen.

Heathcote told Caterersearch he was delighted with the pair’s return.

“Ever since Kath and Chris left three years ago, I have been looking for the right replacement,” he said. “They are the perfect team to give the restaurant the tender loving care that it needs and I am positive that under their guidance we can regain its Michelin star.”

Chef Heathcote to sell flagship restaurant after 20 years >>

Paul Heathcote puts fine dining restaurant plans on hold >>

Paul Heathcote looks to the future with new sites and refurbishment >>

By Kerstin Kühn

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