Former Belle Epoque owner Keith Mooney dies

Keith Mooney, who ran Knutsford's Belle Epoque restaurant for a quarter of a century, has died after a long illness.

Mooney took on the restaurant after the untimely death of his twin brother, Malcolm, in a car accident in the 1975. At the time Malcolm Mooney had been in business with George Best when the footballer was in his heyday.

Having taken on the Belle Epoque Keith Mooney worked with his wife and sister-in-law to develop the business through the 1980s, combining industry expertise with a flamboyant personality.

Speaking to The Caterer in 2013, the current owner, Keith's son Matthew Mooney, said that taking on the restaurant had been a gamble for his father. He added: "Through the 1970's and 1980's, Keith revolutionised the independent dining scene, combining industry expertise and attention to detail, with a flamboyant manner and personality."

Known for his love of striped blazers and jazz music, Keith's passion for Art Nouveau antiques is a visible legacy at the Belle Epoque today.

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