Nico backs part-time chef in row with council

A part-time chef who runs a restaurant in Cumbria has enlisted the support of top restaurateur Nico Ladenis in a bizarre row with the local council.

The dispute centres on the Castle Dairy in Kendal, a 12th-century listed building owned by South Lakeland District Council that has been leased out as a restaurant for years.

Earlier this month the council repossessed the building, claiming the rent had not been paid. But Julie and Peter Worsick, who have been running the 34-seat restaurant for reservations only, got back into the building and refused to leave.

Peter Knapton, estates surveyor for the council, said the council had undertaken "peaceable re-entry of the building due to unpaid rent". But in court last week the council failed to get the Worsicks out. The hearing was adjourned for 14 days.

The Worsicks say they have helped run the restaurant since a friend took it over last year and the council has long been aware of their involvement. They took over full control at the end of 1997.

Mr Worsick said: "The reason we haven't paid rent is that the council won't accept our cheque."

Nico Ladenis has backed the Worsicks, saying that he started off as an "amateur" and now has three Michelin stars.