The Box Tree in Ilkley placed on the market

The Box Tree in Ilkley has been placed on the market as owners Simon and Rena Gueller look to step away from the business.

Simon and wife Rena, who runs front of house, took over the Yorkshire restaurant in 2004 and gained a Michelin star the following year, which it held until the release of the 2019 guide.

Following the loss of the star, chef Simon (pictured, right), who made his name after opening Rascasse in Leeds, returned to the helm of the kitchen, saying it had “awoken something” within him. He later recruited Michael Carr (pictured, left) as head chef.

The couple said: “After over 35 years in the Yorkshire restaurant scene, we are looking forward to taking some time to spend with our family and some well-earned holidays. With a new grandchild on the way we felt now was the right time to engage Christie & Co to find the right person to take the business forward. We are very excited to see how the Box Tree and the events side of the business progress and we are happy to support the transition in any way.

“We have a wonderful team of staff in situ, not least Michael Carr, our head chef, Michelle Hudson-Renton, who heads up the events side of the business, and Chris Stapleton, our restaurant manager, as well as a dedicated team both front of house and in the kitchen, so any new owner will benefit from an experienced and highly motivated team.”

The Box Tree, which first opened its doors in 1962, has hosted chefs including Michael Truelove, Edward Denny and Marco Pierre White.

The restaurant, which has been refurbished in the last two years, is being marketed by Christie & Co alongside outdoor catering business Box Tree Events.

Jon Patrick, head of leisure and development at Christie & Co, said: “We are delighted to be bringing to the market such a rare and sought-after opportunity. The reputation of the Box Tree alongside the potential to increase the events and catering side of the business with the creation of a centralised production and distribution facility will no doubt attract interest from across the UK and beyond.

“Christie & Co were responsible for the sale of the Box Tree when it first came to market back in 1986 and we are well aware of the history of this wonderful restaurant and are looking forward to finding new owners for the next chapter in its evolution.”