“Initially, I was happy to be a tenant”shares Matthieu Brudo. “A mill requires a lot of upkeep and therefore a big budget, the rental was comfortable. » Looking a little closer at the numbers “the loan repayment amount is equivalent to the rent I am currently paying”.
In his reflection, he also took into account the many investments made since the opening, such as the bakery or the cellar, and more recently “the work carried out during the covid period. I maintained the place with as much care as if it belonged to me”. Becoming an owner allows him to consider new developments “like the improvement of the semi-covered terrace part which I imagine becoming a bar area and reception lounge”.
winning bet
“This operation is the perfect illustration of what can be done with public money to develop a territory”, rejoices Gwenhaël François. The mayor of Montbron knew how to advance his pawns at the right pace to transform this mill which belonged to the community of communes Bandiat Tardoire, “and which was only open 4 days a year”in a high place of gastronomy.
Gwenhaël François faced strong opposition at the origin of the project, today the starred restaurant is unanimous.
Photo archives Julie Desbois
If he had listened to the 600 signatories of the petition against the project 10 years ago, the mill would probably still be empty. “People are attached to heritage, as soon as you touch it, it is sensitive”includes the mayor who has never abandoned his course even when Kathrin and Matthieu Brudo say no to him for the first time. “We ran the restaurant at the Chambon campsite, I had plans there. Our establishment was in a place of passage which was not the case of the mill”remembers the chef.
A benefit for the community
For the municipality, the Moulin de la Tardoire operation will ultimately have had no impact on the municipal accounts. “Montbron bought it from the community of communes in 2010 for 1 eurocounts the mayor. We invested 500,000 euros for the expansion”. Since 2013, the restaurant has paid 204,407 euros in rent “and we sold it for 350,000 euros, according to the Domaines’ estimate”. At the end, there is even a positive balance of 54,407 euros.
This operation is the perfect illustration of what can be done with public money to develop a territory.
“And the municipality gains a very beautiful showcase”enthuses Gwenhaël François who has been able to verify well beyond his territory and even the Charente that today, “Montbron is known for Hermès and the Moulin de la Tardoire”. Some would say it was a gamble. He prefers to explain that there is no risk “when you call on the very good. And Kathrin and Matthieu Brudo were very good..
“I still have 140,000 euros of loan to repay”continues the mayor. “With the 350,000 euros, I balance it and the rest of the money, I invest it elsewhere. » And if possible to help set up a new activity either in gastronomy or in crafts, the two axes on which he wants the town to develop.
