Richard Bertinet, a celebrated chef known for his appearances on Saturday Kitchen and James Martin’s Saturday Morning, has voiced his frustration after receiving a staggering 47% rent increase for his cookery school in Bath. Bertinet Kitchen, located on historic Andrews Terrace, has been a popular destination for culinary students from around the world for nearly two decades.
The veteran baker expressed his concern on social media, stating, “I love my Bath city … but just got my rent review from Bath and North East Somerset Council. Yes, I agree on rent review and going up … but 46.6%! There’s only so much I can put my prices up but I won’t! The school brings students worldwide who stay in Bath and eat here too! I want Bath to be the best for people and small businesses … but that is not going the right way!”
Alongside tagging Bath and North East Somerset Council, MP Wera Hobhouse, Visit Bath UK, the Prime Minister, and the Labour Party, Bertinet highlighted the potential negative impact such a steep increase could have on local entrepreneurs.
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Social media responses backed Bertinet’s viewpoint, with one supporter lamenting, “Booo, Bath Council. People like Richard Bertinet bring people to Bath and therefore help the local economy.” Another commenter warned, “A 10% increase would already be egregious,” while yet another feared the hike could favor larger chains over independent businesses: “This is just making space for corporate outfits, will kill the small entrepreneurs.”
Even Maggie the Seaside Baker, a former Great British Bake Off contestant, offered her support, describing the increase as “unforgivable and short-sighted” and applauding Bertinet for raising awareness about the plight of small, brilliant businesses being “hit with a sledgehammer.”
Born in France and starting his baking training at 14, Richard Bertinet founded Bertinet Kitchen in 2005. Beyond his cookery school, Bertinet’s name is associated with Bertinet Bakery on New Bond Street, though he no longer manages it personally. He is also a published author of several recipe books.
Bath and North East Somerset Council have been contacted for comment on the issue.