MBO at Harrogate steak restaurant

A trio of the management team at Harrogate steak and burger restaurant Cattlemen’s Association have acquired the business.

Andrew Buckley, Robert Watson and Paul Waddington have acquired the Harrogate restaurant from previous owners Damn Yankee Ltd. Each of them has worked at the business for more than 14 years.

Waddington and Buckley previously worked as operations managers across Damn Yankee’s three Harrogate restaurants and Watson was Cattlemen’s head chef.

Cattlemen’s has been located in Harrogate, at Cheltenham Crescent for more than 30 years.

A well-known Harrogate staple Cattlemen’s serves steaks, burgers, ribs and Mexican-inspired meals.

Buckley said: “Robert, Paul and myself have all worked at Cattlemen’s for many years, we all love the food we serve and already know the business inside-out as well as many of its loyal customers, who often travel from far and wide to visit us. Plus its proximity to Harrogate’s International Centre means we have lots of national, and even international, customers who always make a point of eating with us when they attend exhibitions and events in Harrogate.

“All our customers appreciate the fact that Cattlemen’s is one of the last few independent restaurants in Harrogate, at a time when the town centre is becoming saturated with the same-old, familiar chains that can be found on high streets throughout the UK. When the opportunity came up to buy the restaurant, we knew it was a one-off opportunity that we didn’t want to miss, and we’re really looking forward to continuing the hard work that has made Cattlemen’s such a Harrogate institution for more than a quarter of a century.”

The trio were advised on the deal by Russell Burnett from leading Harrogate law firm LCF Barber Titleys.

Russell Burnett from LCF Barber Titleys, said: “Cattlemen’s Association is a longstanding Harrogate restaurant with a superb reputation throughout the town and beyond. It’s great to see it being acquired by three local Harrogate residents who all have such a strong connection with the business.

“Paul, Robert and Andrew all have a clear passion for the restaurant and it’s been a pleasure to negotiate the deal and advise them throughout the acquisition process. We wish them every success in the future and look forward to seeing them build on an already successful and thriving business.”

Image features:Robert Watson, Andrew Buckley, Paul Waddington and Russell Burnett