A BANQUETING operation in Elland has welcomed a new business partner.

Businessman Nigel Denham has taken a stake in Bertie’s of Elland – joining the management team of Mike Swallow and Rebecca Shaw – while founder Brett Woodward remains on board as a ‘significant and active’ shareholder.

Law firm Chadwick Lawrence, which has offices in Huddersfield, acted in the deal, which was funded by HSBC.

The Chadwick Lawrence team was led by Steven Bonfield, head of the firm’s corporate division, with partner Cheryl Largue overseeing the property side of the deal.

The business started out life as Bertie’s Bistro, which Mr Woodward launched 30 years ago following a return to his Yorkshire roots from London, where he worked at the Savoy Hotel.

In 1988, Bertie’s Banqueting Rooms opened its doors.

Over the past 20 years, it has developed three spectacular banqueting rooms – the Crystal Ballroom, the Rennie Mackintosh Room and Number One Brook Street Room.

Bertie’s also has a thriving outside catering division, which Mr Woodward will now oversee.

It will focus on larger events, including ones to be held at Carr Hall Castle, a £3.7m turreted property at Stainland, which won Channel Five’s I Own Britain's Best Home for owner Terry George.

Mr Woodward said: “Nigel and I have known each other since childhood and over the years, we have worked together on catering projects with Nigel’s company on the wines and bars and Bertie’s on the food.

“I remain firmly committed to the business and our complimentary skills, including Nigel’s business acumen, give us the opportunity to plan an exciting future including exploring the possibility of purchasing a hotel.”

Mr Denham, a former Yorkshire county golfer and former non-executive-director and shareholder of Bradford Property Trust, said: “Investing in Bertie’s is a natural progression as I was looking to add to my property portfolio and the business also dovetails well with my interest in the wine and drinks trade.”

Chadwick Lawrence senior partner Stephen Oakes said: “We have enjoyed a long, professional relationship with Nigel and also held many of the firm’s corporate events at Bertie’s.

“We are delighted to have been able to serve Nigel with our expertise and look forward to continuing to work with Bertie’s in the future.”

Chadwick Lawrence is one of the top 25 law firms in the Yorkshire and Humber region with 14 partners and 220 staff.