The longest unoccupied Chislehurst high street property competition comes to an end.

FROM THIS...

For too long 45 High Street, Chislehurst otherwise know as Chislehurst Travel, has stood empty. It sadly holds the record for the high street property with the longest unbroken unoccupancy - of around a staggering fourteen years! After Chislehurst Travel closed, firstly interested tenants couldn't get agreement for the lease to be transferred, then the rent was too high. More recently Foxes Brasserie at number 43 next door closed. The owner claimed that he was being squeezed between the efficient chains such as Café Rouge and Zizzis, and the more upmarket Due Amici that had the address to go with it - Royal Parade.

Planning permission was granted allowing an extended A3 (food and drink) use at both 43 and 45 High Street. With that, the combined properties were offered on a 25 year lease at a rental in excess of £90,000. At that sort of figure we at Village News trust that there aren't too many around saying, "we don't want another restaurant," because, clearly, that sort of comment has helped keep the Chislehurst Travel property unoccupied since around the turn of the millennium. At a rent of £250 a day we aren't going to get too many fishmongers back any time soon.

Now, Village News learns, these two properties are going to become the next Côte Restaurant. Already there are fifty Côtes dotted around the country including, slightly nearer to home, Sevenoaks, Blackheath and Bluewater. Naturally, here at Village News, we are very excited by the prospect, having visited all of these three between our team. Hardly a chain - Café Rouge has, after all, over 120 branches - it will hopefully fill that gap that Foxes left when it closed, by offering authentic French cuisine at reasonable prices. At present Côte's two course lunch and early evening menu, at £9.95 for two courses, is very popular with the Village News staff, although we have to pay a £2 supplement for the steak frites. When we asked around our friends over the weekend there was genuine excitment at the news that Côte would be coming our way.

Anyway, we wish them well as they await the outcome of their drinks' licence application. Côte could not give Village News any definites as to when this their latest branch might open other than it being sometime in the autumn, or how many covers the restaurant will hold, but open it hopefully will and with a facade that is a vast improvement on what we see at present.

In the meantime, if you want some Travel, just "GO" across the road.

When we contacted Côte they told us,

"Located on the High Street in the heart of Chislehurst, Côte will serve classic brasserie dining from breakfast through to lunch and dinner, daily. Inspired by new trends in Paris, award-winning Côte is dedicated to serving authentic dishes with a modern twist, using high quality produce at great prices. On the menu, guests will always find brasserie favourites such as steak frites, tuna Niçoise and chargrilled corn-fed Breton chicken and, for dessert, Côte’s crème caramel and crème brûlee are much–loved house specialities. The extensive wine list displays an indepth knowledge and features wines from a variety of producers across France; yet is reasonably priced.

...TO THIS

“Robust French flavours, cheery continental vibes and brilliant value for money”
GOOD FOOD GUIDE
Seasonality and Côte’s commitment to sourcing high-quality ingredients results in a regularly changing specials menu, ensuring there is always something new to delight regular guests. There is also a weekday lunch and early evening menu providing outstanding value at £9.95 for two courses and £11.90 for three courses with dishes such as bread-crumbed calamari sautéed in garlic, lemon, parsley and butter and baked whole Camembert with garlic, rosemary and honey, baguette toasts and green salad; perfect for a quick lunch or relaxed dining.
“Côte is fantastic”
THE SUNDAY TIMES
Côte has quickly built a loyal fan base with regular guests as well as favourable reviews from the press. The restaurant team are passionately led by veterans Harald Samuelsson and Alex Scrimgeour who believe that Côte’s success "reflects our focus on what’s right for the guest – great food, a great time and at a great price.""

www.chislehurstpettswoodandbickleyvillagenews.co.uk
www.cote-restaurants.co.uk