Cheltenham French restaurant Armagnac sold to first time buyers

Armagnac, one of Cheltenham's longest-standing French restaurants, has been sold by specialist restaurant advisers Christie + Co to first time buyers.

The new owners are Sadek Ahmed and Tom Johnson, who are both experienced chefs. Ahmed comes from a background of restaurant management, which includes Café Rouge in Cheltenham, while Johnson's experience includes sous chef at Café Rouge, Cheltenham and chef de partie at Grape & Olive, Swansea.

The restaurant, renamed Tarragon, will move away from the modern French cuisine to offer a fresh, casual fine-dining experience with exotic meats, wine's supplied by Tom I'Anson and locally-sourced beers and ciders with a regularly changing menu.

Previous operators Olivier and Kate Azam, who are now based in France, sold the restaurant due to increased commitments. Azam is a coach at French Top 14 rugby team Toulon and for many years was a front row forward at Gloucester RFC.