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Celebrity chef looks to open restaurant in Roundhay Park's Mansion
A celebity chef is interested in opening a restaurant in Roundhay Park's Mansion.
The revelation comes as the search is on for the perfect tenant for the Grade Two listed building.
Leeds City Council has appointed Christie & Co – who specialise in restaurant and caf bar-style opportunities – to oversee the process.
Mark Czajka, corporate restaurants north negotiator for the firm, said: "There's a broad selection – from an extremely high-profile celebrity chef to a local Leeds operator who's got several units in the north Leeds areas."
He added: "There's a well-known chef who has appeared on TV before, looking at proposing a restaurant brasserie with a cooking school."
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And he said an event-management company was also interested as well as a large pub group – one of the food-led brands.
Mr Czajka expects to present a list of potential tenants to a council panel in around a month, to draw up a shortlist.
Last year the YEP revealed campaigning TV chef Jamie Oliver was considering Leeds as a venue for one of his Fifteen restaurants, which help train disadvantaged youngsters.
And the city is already home to an eaterie owned by a celebrity chef – Michelin-starred Raymond Blanc opened Brasserie Blanc in September.
The council recently completed an external repair project on Roundhay Mansion as part of the 8m Roundhay Park restoration programme. But it has been empty for four years, since Leeds catering firm Craven Gilpin moved out in 2004.
There were proposals to turn it into council offices but the plans were overturned after fierce objections.
The venue has up to 9,321 sq ft of floor space, with existing licensed and catering planning consent, and an extensive interior refurbishment will be carried out when the new tenant has signed up and specified their requirements.
It is thought the new venture in the park, which attracts around six million visitors a year, could be up and running by Christmas.
City council leader Andrew Carter said it was encouraging there had already been inquiries from interested parties before it had been advertised.
He said: "The Mansion in Roundhay Park is one of the most iconic and well-loved buildings in the city, so it is very important that we get the right kind of company to run the restaurant and the function facilities."
He added: "We'd love to hear from as many companies as possible, as the more interest we have the more chance we have of providing the best quality service for the people of Leeds."
The council's executive board agreed in December to put Roundhay Mansion on the market and to consider making a capital contribution to ensure high-quality bids were received.
Interested parties should ring Christie & Co at 0113 389 2714 or email www.christiecorporate.com or see the brochure at www.leeds.gov.uk/property.
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Friday 18 May 2012
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