Paul Heathcote closes Simply Heathcotes in Liverpool

26 August 2010
Paul Heathcote closes Simply Heathcotes in Liverpool

North west-based chef-restaurateur Paul Heathcote has closed his flagship Liverpool restaurant, Simply Heathcotes, after 10 years.

The former two-Michelin-starred chef blamed the closure of the restaurant on the demolition of a nearby bridge link, which significantly reduced footfall to the area.

"The location changed and the demolition of the bridge made a significant difference. Before we had between 1,500 and 2,000 people walk past the restaurant every day - now we've become a destination restaurant," Heathcote told Caterersearch.

"You can blame the recession or the increased competition but I don't think this had much to do with it."

Heathcote added that all members of staff at Simply Heathcotes, which shut yesterday (25 August), had been offered alternative roles within the group, which comprises 10 restaurant in the North-west.

The closure of the Liverpool branch of Simply Heathcotes, which was initially set up with the idea of rolling the concept out as a chain, comes two years after the closure of the Manchester restaurant.

However, Heathcote said he would not rule out reopening the restaurant in Liverpool in a different location. "Liverpool is a great city that has been very good to us and other parts of our business in the city, including the Olive Press and Heathcote's Outside catering at the Arena, are extremely successful," he said.

"We've had 10 successful years in Liverpool and 20 successful years overall. Every now and then you have to take a small step back."

Heathcote still operates his flagship Longridge Restaurant near Preston as well as Grado in Manchester; London Road in Alderley Edge; and seven Olive Press branches.

He sold events catering arm Heathcote's Outside in 2006 but remains executive director.

Paul Heathcote plans to return the sparkle to Longridge >>

Paul Heathcote to highlight misleading menus >>

Paul Heathcote collects MBE from Queen >>

By Kerstin Kühn

E-mail your comments to Kerstin Kühn here.

If you have something to say on this story or anything else join the debate at Table Talk - Caterer's new networking forum. Go to www.caterersearch.com/tabletalk

Caterersearch.com jobs

Looking for a new job? Find your next job here with Caterersearch.com jobs

[Newsletters For the latest hospitality news, sign up for our e-mail newsletters.
The Caterer Breakfast Briefing Email

Start the working day with The Caterer’s free breakfast briefing email

Sign Up and manage your preferences below

Check mark icon
Thank you

You have successfully signed up for the Caterer Breakfast Briefing Email and will hear from us soon!

Jacobs Media is honoured to be the recipient of the 2020 Queen's Award for Enterprise.

The highest official awards for UK businesses since being established by royal warrant in 1965. Read more.

close

Ad Blocker detected

We have noticed you are using an adblocker and – although we support freedom of choice – we would like to ask you to enable ads on our site. They are an important revenue source which supports free access of our website's content, especially during the COVID-19 crisis.

trade tracker pixel tracking