Seven jobs are being created as a York restaurant receives £50,000 in support of its expansion plans.

Owners of French restaurant and bistro Le Cochon Aveugle, and neighbouring bar Cave au Cochon Joshua (01-04) and Victoria Overington received the five-figured funding package from the Business Enterprise Fund (BEF) to expand their venture in Walmgate.

As well as the refurbishment of the award-winning restaurant, the duo are planning an expansion at the wine bar, creating a bigger kitchen.

After the plans were announced in The Press in November 2017, work is now well underway thanks to the funding from the BEF, which has an office in York and provides funding for businesses across Yorkshire and the North East.

Chef and restaurant co-owner, Joshua said: “At the start, it was just Victoria and I running the restaurant but now thanks to the loan from BEF we are able to take on an additional seven staff which will take us up to a team of 20.

“Not only will the team be expanding but the restaurant will increase in size to meet demand by allowing us to combine with our wine bar and install a larger kitchen.

“The new kitchen will allow us to offer a lunch menu, which is something we’ve never been able to do before - we’re excited to provide more for our customers and keep developing the menu.

“Thanks to BEF’s support and advice, we can move forward with the best financial knowledge available.”

Le Cochon Aveugle has won numerous awards, and was the only restaurant in the city to make the Harden’s Best UK Restaurants, when it was listed at number 40.

Jeremy Meadowcroft, investment manager at BEF, said: “Le Cochon Aveugle is already an amazing establishment and the funding will allow the business to manifest into what Victoria and Joshua have always imagined.

“They both show clear enthusiasm for the restaurant and providing a true French dining experience for their customers – it’s what makes them outstanding business owners.”

The expansion of the wine bar comes just two years after it was opened by husband and wife team to accompany their restaurant.

Article by Laura Knowlson, Business Editor, York Press (http://www.yorkpress.co.uk/business/news/16149736.Funding_boost_for_restaurant).

Photograph:  Copyright Lorne Campbell / Guzelian