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Is it last orders for Monks Hall?

1/11/2002

THE BELL is tolling for historic Monks Hall restaurant - only the next eight weeks will decide whether it is for the final time.

Bosses at the posh Grade II listed restaurant have until January to decide whether it has a future in the business. Other options include turning it into a function venue, a place where both weddings and receptions can be held, or putting it on the market.

The restaurant has been closed since the summer following a drop in trade. It is still, however, used as the business HQ for Chapman Holmes Catering and Events Management Ltd.

The move has been a severe disappointment for boss Grant Chapman, said his PA Kirsty Cookson.

"He fought hard twice to buy it and was not put off when he was turned down the first time," she told us.

"Over £300,000 has been spent turning it into a top class restaurant and for the first two years in 1997-98, it did very well indeed. However, regular trade was rather quiet in the summer, and the decision to close temporarily was taken."

The restaurant was, she stressed, still open for functions, especially Christmas parties, and anyone who wanted to confirm that their event was still booked could ring on 789 3262.

A possible future use for the building could be as a venue for weddings. The company have just been granted a licence to conduct the wedding ceremony on the Wellington Road premises.