Buyer of Paul Heathcote's Olive Press revealed
Manchester burger restaurant group Solita has emerged as the buyer of chef-restaurateur Paul Heathcote's Olive Press & Brasserie in Preston.
The new venue will be Solita's biggest and its first outside Manchester.
Solita, which has sites in Manchester's Northern Quarter as well as Didsbury and Prestwich, is run by Franco Sotgiu and Simon Pogson.
The pair plan to merge the Olive Press and Heathcote's (pictured) Brasserie into one large dining space.
"When Paul asked us if we'd be interested in the site we did the deal in a matter of days. We feel Preston has massive potential and are keen to bring our style of exciting food there," Sotgiu told the Manchester Evening News.
Heathcote sold his Italian restaurant after 21 years owning the business there. It accommodates a total of 200 covers on the ground and lower ground floor of a Victorian building overlooking Winckley Square and incorporates a private dining space. A sum of £250,000 was sought for the leasehold interest of the site.
In addition to the Preston opening, Solita is also opening Solita Steakhouse in Manchester's Barton Arcade this summer, as well as a second Prestiwch venue.
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