One of Bristol’s best-known fine dining restaurants, Bell’s Diner, has come onto the market with a freehold price of £400,000.
The Montpelier restaurant was opened in 1976 by Shirley Anne Bells and John Payne – who later bought the Colston Street Brewery – and has been operated by current chef/owner Chris Wicks since 1997.
Although he is selling Bell’s Diner, Mr Wicks will continue as director of food at boutique hotel Berwick Lodge near Cribbs Causeway.
The 56-cover Bell’s Diner comes with a self-contained two-bedroom apartment.
The cooking style at the restaurant has changed over the years from French bistro when it first opened to vegetarian during the 1980s, to modern French and today’s 'cutting-edge’ fine dining.
Specialist property adviser Christie + Co, which is marketing the restaurant, said the average bill at Bell’s Dinner tended to be between £25 to £50 a head, above the current national spend of approximately £15.
However, there is an opportunity for a new owner to introduce a new concept to the restaurant, suggested Valerie Turner of Christie + Co’s Bristol office.
“This opportunity presents an ideal business prospect, whether the current format is continued or whether a new owner decides to change the concept and embrace the Bohemian area in which the restaurant is positioned,” she said.
Although the freehold to Bells Diner is available at £400,000, a new lease can be created at a premium of £35,000 and a passing annual rent of £17,000. The leasehold option does not include the apartment.
