Manchester at the heart of Paul Heathcotes 2008 plans

Manchester and its surrounding areas will be at the heart of chef Paul Heathcotes business activities for the next 12 months, his company has announced.

The acclaimed chef will open his first Spanish restaurant – Grado – in New York Street in Picadilly this December, featuring high-end cuisine using the very best produce.

The Elliott, a new fine dining restaurant, will open in Jackson’s Row off Deansgate next March and it is Heathcote’s ambition to make it the best restaurant in the city.

The openings follow hot on the heels of Heathcotes’ latest Olive Press Pizzeria Bar and Grill, which opened in Cheadle Hulme last week.

Heathcote says the decision to focus on the city and its surrounds is partly driven by the phenomenal success of restaurants such as London Road, which he opened in Alderley Edge in March. That restaurant is already forecasting the highest individual turnover of any in the group in 2008 – which collectively is due to turn over £13million next year.

Mr Heathcote says: ‘I first opened a restaurant in Manchester 12 years ago and I love the city so working on so many ventures here in the next year is a challenge I’m absolutely relishing.

‘It has been really gratifying that some of my more recent ventures in the city and in places such as Alderley Edge have had such a fantastic reception. We always had high expectations for London Road, but it really hasn’t disappointed.’

Grado, according to Heathcote, will fill a gap in the city’s culinary life. He says: ‘Manchester is very well serviced for Italian, Indian and Chinese food, but there are few Spanish restaurants – and certainly none as ambitious as Grado.

‘The feel of the restaurant will be very modern and the cooking will make the most of some of the fabulous produce that comes out of Spain.

‘The country is really leading the way in the culinary world at the moment so it’s exciting to be embarking on a venture like this.’

The Elliott – which is named after the listed building in which it is based – will be in the same building as Simply Heathcotes is currently. However, The Elliott will be downstairs in the building and will include a new bar lounge and a private dining room.

Heathcote said: ‘It is not news that Manchester has been short of very top end of restaurants and it has received some criticism for that. I am very ambitious as far as the Elliott is concerned and can’t wait for its launch in March.’

Paul Heathcote is widely recognised as one of the UK’s most talented chefs. He spent his early career in world-renowned restaurants including The Connaught in London’s Mayfair and Raymond Blanc’s Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons in Oxfordshire. He opened his first restaurant in Longridge at the age of 29 and within two years it was awarded a Michelin star.

Heathcotes has attracted some of the best staff in the industry and the company has recruited chefs from everyone from Gordon Ramsay to Heston Blumenthal.

Among the company’s current portfolio is the Longridge Restaurant, Longridge; Winckley Square Chop House, Preston; London Road, Alderley Edge; Simply Heathcotes in Manchester, Liverpool, Leeds and Wrightington and The Olive Press in Preston, Manchester, Liverpool, Cheadle Hulme, Warrington and Bolton.

See www.heathcotes.co.uk for more information.

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Posted: Wednesday 14th November 2007
ID: 5165 - 41