Winchester: Restaurant letting to River Cottage

Pullen Associates lets restaurant to TV celebrity chef, Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall's River Cottage Restaurants

Acting for Winchester City Council, Pullen Associates has let the historic listed former Abbey Mill in Winchester city centre, to River Cottage Canteen.   Richard Pullen, Director of Pullen Associates, reports that "the former mill building was marketed on behalf of the city council for a variety of uses, including various leisure uses as well as for use as offices.  Located overlooking Abbey Gardens, the historic listed property had been vacant for some time and required a new lease of life.   Interest was received from a variety of different leisure uses.   The letting to Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall's River Cottage restaurant business is an exiting new development for the city and Richard Pullen believes that residents, businesses and visitors to the city will benefit as will local producers".

The 19th Century former silk mill had been used as a restaurant during the second world war, but has more recently been used as offices by the city council.   Overlooking Abbey Park, there will be outside seating with the property undergoing a significant refurbishment to bring back the character of the original building.

The letting to River Cottage will add another famous name to restaurants in Winchester.   Jamie Oliver has recently opened in the city; Raymond Blanc has a restaurant and The Black Rat has a Michelin Star. 

The transaction marks another high profile transaction by Richard Pullen of Pullen Associates who has recently let premises in Jewry Street, Winchester to England rugby captain, Chris Robshaw and former Hampshire cricketer, Kevin Latouf, who have opened a coffee and wine bar, Black White Red.  Earlier this year, Richard Pullen also let premises to Carnival UK in Southampton for a new Dance Academy.