Top Leicester restaurant's tenancy is surrendered

A new operator for one of Leicester's best-known restaurants is being sought.

Watson's, in Upper Brown Street, was closed suddenly in August last year by owner Carmelo Percolla.

He has now surrendered the tenancy to the landlord, allowing the lease to be sold to another business.

David Brazier, chief executive of Leicester Social Economy Consortium, the building's owner, said he had already received interest from two business people.

"We came to an arrangement with the previous leaseholder and the tenancy has been surrendered", he said. "We will begin advertising the lease next week or the week after.

"We have had two interested parties who have looked at the site.

"We want a new tenant with experience of running a fine-dining restaurant in there as soon as possible."

Sicily-born Mr Percolla bought award-winning Watson's in 2008 from founder Graham Watson and had plans to turn it into the city's first Michelin-starred eatery.