Indian restaurateurs buy Bailie's in Barnard Castle

Experienced restaurateurs Chad and Mufti Choudhury have bought Bailie's restaurant in the historic Teesdale market town of Barnard Castle in County Durham.

The Grade II-listed property (which dates from the mid-18th century) is close to the landmark Butter Market in the middle of the main street of the village that is renowned for its public school and ruined 12th-century castle.

It offers a reception bar with a counter and servery, a dining room arranged as three interconnecting rooms to seat 44 guests, and a rear timber-decked patio for alfresco dining.

Four rooms used for storage or offices on the first and second floors could be converted into extra dining space or owners' accommodation.

The business, which has been renamed the Bengal Merchant, made a trading profit of £44,310 on a net turnover of £131,394 in 2006.

The Leeds office of Colliers Robert Barry sold the freehold off an asking price of £350,000 on behalf of Harry Bailie and his father-in-law, Tony Turner.

By Angela Frewin