Restaurant designer buys his first venue, in Croydon

Consultant restaurant designer Farid Sanjoori has bought his first business, the Chateau restaurant in Croydon, Surrey.

The Chateau is a large restaurant and functions venue that was established in 1978 within Coombe Wood House, a large detached Victorian residence that has also served as a convalescent and a children's home since it was built in 1898.

It overlooks Coombe Wood Gardens and is just a few minutes drive from Croydon town centre and easily accessed by tram.

Business is split equally between restaurant trade and functions such as wedding receptions and private parties.

The venue can accommodate around 300 guests overall across the 150-seat restaurant, 40-seat bar, banqueting suite and four function rooms that can cater for between 10 to 110 people.

The Chateau carried an advertised asking price of £500,000 for the leasehold.

The Epsom office of mortgage broker Christie Finance helped negotiate the finance package for the new management.

By Angela Frewin