EAST Lancashire restaurateur Paul Heathcote has declared the recession over after a record-breaking few months at his businesses.

The award-winning chef, whose empire includes the Longridge Restaurant and the Olive Press in Clitheroe, said his outlets had suffered like most others in 2009.

But, after breaking with tradition and offering money-saving deals through much of this year, he said his portfolio of eateries was now reaping the benefits.

His restaurants have saved £50,000 this year by cutting back on waste – but no Heathcotes staff have been laid off.

And, after appointing ‘Christmas co-ordinators’ at each of his 11 sites, he has seen a 4.7 per cent spike on Christmas 2008 and sales have risen two per cent in the past three months.

Mr Heathcote, who lives in the Ribble Valley, said: “We have had a very, very challenging time during the past year to 18 months.

"We have had to make some changes because for the first time, we didn’t have the people coming through the doors.

“For example, we are used to offering special offers in January and August when people are short on cash and on holiday, but this year we have had deals on food and for children dining at the Olive Press in Clitheroe during the other months too.

“We have also used our Christmas co-ordinators to ring up the people who dined with us last Christmas.”

The tactics have paid dividends for the company, with tills ringing again at Heathcotes restaurants in Lancashire, Greater Manchester, Merseyside and Cheshire.

Mr Heathcote said the upturn meant the recession was all but over, with next month expected to mark “the end of the tough times”.

Earlier this year, the chef took his flagship Longridge Restaurant off the market after four months and brought back former manager and head chef team Kath and Chris Bell to head it up.