Restaurant’s owners fears as building is up for sale
A building housing two Maidstone restaurants is being put up for sale – prompting confusion over the future of the dinner destinations.
Asian restaurant The Buffet House and Spanish restaurant La Taberna, both in Union Street, are in the building in question.
The former is on the ground floor and the latter on the first.
Business property adviser Christie and Co is handling the sale. It suggested the diners might close, or a new owner may want to keep them both trading.
Clara Muñoz who owns La Taberna was not aware of the sale and did not believe the restaurant would close. The Buffet House had not commented by the time the paper went to press.
James Hughes, business agent in Christie and Co’s Maidstone office, said: “This central site presents an excellent opportunity to introduce new offerings to Maidstone, whether they are kept as restaurants or converted into different uses.
“The current business has built up a good reputation with both the local and wider community but there is plenty of room for further development.
“There is also an opportunity to obtain planning permission to add hotel rooms, which would give an extra dimension.”
The property can cater for about 200 diners and has bars on both floors, Christie and Co said.
The current owner bought the property in 2007 when it was the Comedy Creek Club.
The Muñoz family migrated from Marbella last summer to start La Taberna and the restau- rant serves tapas and Mediterranean cuisine, organises flamenco shows and lessons and hosts traditional Spanish events such as Three Kings’ Day celebrations.
The Buffet House serves Bangladeshi, Indian, Thai and Chinese food and English desserts.
Christie and Co is seeking £ 849,995 for the freehold or £70,000 for the leasehold with an annual rent of £45,000.
In other news, cafe and bistro Frédéric in Market Buildings, has expanded into a neighbouring property and plans to have a refurbishment completed in the New Year.