Paul Heathcote to sell flagship restaurant

The 90-cover restaurant in a village outside Preston was bought by the chef in 1990 and was the first to form the Heathcotes Collection​ of restaurants.

The company, which also runs The Grill Room in Preston, is planning a rapid expansion of the Olive Press brand in the North West with plans to grow the number of sites from eight to 14 over the next two years.

Heathcote said the decision to sell The Longridge and concentrate on building the Olive Press portfolio was a reaction to the current market.

He said: "There is definitely a call for more restaurants of this ilk. As the credit crunch bites and more and more people become affected they are looking for options to eat out which will ensure good quality food but at a reasonable price and the Olive Press meets these demands perfectly.

“It is important to stress these moves are being made as we react to market conditions and customer demand. It goes without saying we are committed to Preston. We have recently invested heavily in the new Grill Room in Preston."

Christie & Co is marketing The Longridge and welcoming offers in the region of £595,000 for the freehold interest of the property, and in the region of £200,000 for the leasehold.

Kelly Catterall from Christie & Co’s Manchester Office said: “The Longridge Restaurant has established an excellent reputation over the past 19 years. This business offers an amazing opportunity for someone to take on this locally renowned restaurant and make it their own.”

Heathcote said staff from the Longridge would be re-deployed to his other restaurants which include Grado in Manchester and London Road Restaurant in Alderley Edge, Cheshire.

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