Mr Heathcote confirmed yesterday (Tuesday) he is taking the restaurant off the market– and to celebrate the new era, Kath and Chris Bell, who previously worked at the Longridge Restaurant and are currently running the WhiteBull pub at Ribchester – will once again be backat the helm. Kath was the manageress at Longridge Restaurant for seven years during which time it held a Michelin Star. Chris wasthe formerheadchef and winner of a Gordon Ramsayscholarship.
Mr Heathcote said: "It has been a very emotional time. It was only when I put Longridge on the market that I considered the emotional impact it had on me and all the team.
Kath and Chris are really keen to come back and I am absolutely delighted about this.
"I am confident many of our regular customers who havebeen coming to Longridge for years will be delighted to hear about Kath and Chris's return and there newed energy which we now have behind Longridge."
Mr Heathcote's famous signaturedishes of black pudding and bread and butter pudding with poached apricotsandclotted creamwill still be on the menu, together with all of the other favourites from the last 20 years.
He said: "Kath knows all of the regular clients and has been the face of the business for so long. I am delighted to be making this announcement today."
Kath and Chris live in Longridge and have spent the last three years working in their ownbusiness. Kathadded:"ChrisandIare both absolutely passionate about the Longridge Restaurant and we really feel that is
where we belong.
"We were really sad when we heard the restaurant had been put upfor saleandweare delighted at Paul's change of heart and the fact that we can nowreturn"home"where we feel we belong.
"We had many very happy years at Longridge and weare looking forward to returning and rekindling the close friendships which we developed with customers during our time there."
Longridge will also now open on a Saturdaylunchtime.The Longridge Restaurant,which was the first restaurant opened by MrHeathcote nearly
20 years ago, went on the market backin February.Mr and Mrs Bell took over running the White Bull, Ribchester, inDecember2006.