Heathcote retargets North instead of city

Chef-restaurateur Paul Heathcote has given up his plans to open a restaurant in London and has decided instead to focus on expanding his business in the North of England.

He has put in offers on two sites that he would like to convert into brasseries. He was not prepared to say where they were until he had heard whether his offers had been accepted.

Heathcote said that he had pulled out of a deal to launch in London because of the difficult economic climate in the capital. He had originally hoped to open the restaurant in March. This was later rescheduled for June.

He added: "I think it is inevitable that we will do London, but not at the moment."

Another project Heathcote is working on is converting the basement of his Simply Heathcotes in Preston, Lancashire, into a pizzeria and grill. It will seat 80 and will open in October.

Heathcote has five restaurants to date. They are: Paul Heathcotes in Longridge, Lancashire, three Simply Heathcotes brasseries in Preston, Manchester and Liverpool; and Heathcotes at Rascasse in Leeds.

by Louise Bozec
Source: Caterer & Hotelkeeper magazine, 1-7 August 2002