CHEF Paul Heathcote has sold five restaurants from his property empire - to ‘refocus’ on his Lancashire eateries.

Mr Heathcote has offloaded three Olive Press sites in Manchester, Liverpool and Cheadle Hulme, along with Grado in Manchester and London Road in Alderley Edge.

But he has kept the flagship Longridge Restaurant, his rebranded brasserie in Clitheroe and the Olive Press in Preston.

Mr Heathcote, who lives in the Ribble Valley, said the disposals would offer him a better ‘lifestyle balance’ and allow him to spend more time with his family.

He said: “I made a decision a couple of years that by the age of 50 I wanted to have a slightly different lifestyle than I have now.

“It has been quite a big business with nine restaurants, and that has made me feel quite detached from the business.

“It was taking me an hour-and-a-half to get to Alderley Edge, and that was on a good day.

“Having these three restaurants fits well with the geography and it means I can spend more time there.

"But I will still work very hard.”

The five sites have been acquired by Cheshire-based Living Ventures restaurant group for an undisclosed sum.

Mr Heathcote is still seeking a buyer for his Olive Press branch in Bolton.

He admitted that having a large portfolio of restaurants had ‘absolutely’ been the reason why the Longridge Restaurant lost its two Michelin stars in 2007.

And while winning back the coveted crown is his long-term goal, he has urged Lancashire food fans to give his three eateries another try.

The chef and entrepreneur has just completed a makeover of his former Olive Press site in Clitheroe, rebranding it as Heathcotes Grill and Bar.

He added: “My message to customers in Longridge, Clitheroe and Preston is that they can expect to see more of me when they come in.

“I can also assure them that the three restaurants will be just as exciting as they were 10 years ago.”