Pourcel brothers pull out of Pulze partnership deal at 11th hour
The Pourcel brothers have pulled out of the partnership deal with Claudio Pulze to take over ailing fine dining French restaurant W'Sens and turn it into a more mid-market concept. It is now on the market for offers in excess of half-a-million pounds.
In November, experienced restaurateur Pulze, who runs nearly 20 restaurants with various partners, including Via Condotti and Deya in London W1 and Al Duca in SW1, told Restaurant that he planned to "streamline" the two-year-old restaurant, even though the Pourcel brothers would retain shares in the business. Although the concept was not confirmed, the partners were looking at creating a French brasserie.
However, the deal fell through during the festive season when the Pourcels decided that they wanted to sell the restaurant. An insider said, "They pulled out at the eleventh hour." The site is being marketed through Shelley Sandzer property agents who said there has already been a great deal of interest. It is unclear whether Pulze may put in an offer himself.
Trevor Shelley said, "It's beautifully fitted; they spent around £2million on doing it up, so it's a site where a buyer could go in and not need to spend a penny." It would be an ideal location for someone who knows what they're doing, "fine dining would work there, but perhaps a step down from what W'Sens was doing." Shelley added that he hopes for a quick sale now that it's a straightforward assignment. "We're not going to go after the last cent. We're looking for around half-amillion and that includes the benefit of the lease and all the fixtures and fittings."
Jacques and Laurent Pourcel own restaurants around the world, including the two Michelin-starred Le Jardin Des Sens in Montpellier.