BERTIE’S Banqueting Rooms in Elland has a new owner – it’s next-door neighbour.
Jon Nichols, owner of Elland restaurant , La Cachette, revealed yesterday that he has stepped in to buy the business at Brook Street, for an undisclosed sum.
He will now take over Bertie’s Banqueting Rooms as a going concern – which will be known as Bertie’s at La Cachette – and will run the business side-by-side with his restaurant La Cachette which is next door.
Bertie’s was put up for sale earlier this month after rumours had been circulating about the future of the business.
Mr Nichols said: “When I heard the business was up for sale, purchasing it seemed an obvious decision.
“Not only because of the proximity of the two properties but also because it allows us to increase the outside catering service that La Cachette has begun to provide.
“Bertie’s was successful for many years with a strong reputation for hosting quality functions. My aim is to build on that and make it even better than it currently is. I believe that Bertie’s has a long and exciting future ahead.”
Mr Nichols has planned no major changes for Bertie’s but aims to step up the standard of food and service to bring it into line with that of La Cachette, which is known for its quality French and modern European cuisine.
He has pledged to honour all existing events and functions that are booked in at Bertie’s which include an evening with former footballers Neil Ruddock and Bryan Robson, which is due to take place tonight and a charity ball which is scheduled for July 6.
Bertie’s has been a popular venue for black-tie dinners, charity balls, prom nights, weddings and business events for many years and has also built up a successful outside catering division.
Functions are hosted in one of its three spectacular banqueting rooms – the Crystal Ballroom, the Rennie Mackintosh Room and the Number One Brook Street Room. The Crystal Ballroom, which can accommodate up to 275 people, boasts a raised terrace and a balcony as well as bar, cloakroom and flexible staging and dance floor areas.
Mr Nichols has been at the helm of La Cachette for over 10 years and has successfully grown the reputation of the restaurant for serving top quality French-influenced cuisine.
La Cachette was recently awarded the 2013 Certificate of Excellence award by TripAdvisor after receiving consistently exceptional reviews and ratings on TripAdvisor.
The restaurant also secured a coveted listing in The Good Food Guide 2013 and retained its listing in the 2013 Michelin Guide for the 10th year running.
The French-owned ‘gourmet’s bible’ describes La Cachette as a “long-standing, well-run bistro” providing classical, seasonal cooking with international influences.”
