Caprice Holdings owner Richard Caring has teamed up with the former directors of Strada to launch a new French bistro concept, Côte.

It comes after the £140m sale of the Italian pizza chain to Tragus last month.

Côte, which will open in Wimbledon Village in south west London later in the summer, will be run by Strada founder and chef Chris Benians and backed by former Strada chief executive Andy Bassadone.

The restaurant will offer a menu of “reasonably priced” French food and if successful a number of outlets will be rolled out, potentially making the chain a direct competition to Tragus-owned Café Rouge.

Richard Caring recently bought famous London nightclub Annabel's in a deal thought to be worth £90m.

As well as Annabel's, the sale comprised three other London nightclubs including Mark's Club, George and Harry's Bar.

Tragus buys Strada restaurant chain for £140m >>

Café Rouge owner enjoys bumper Christmas trading >>

Strada to create 900 more jobs with 30 new UK opening >>

By Kerstin Kühn

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