Residents of Highgate, north London, have responded to the owner of an Italian restaurant, Don Ciccio, who blamed them for the restaurant’s closure in a harsh final statement. The establishment closed its doors for the last time after six years, with owner Marco Claudio Valente expressing frustration over empty dining rooms and low revenue.
In a bitter farewell message posted on their website on October 16, Don Ciccio accused the community of indifference, claiming that lack of support led to their closure. Despite receiving high ratings on Google and prestigious awards, Valente criticized the locals for not patronizing the restaurant.
While the owner expressed gratitude to the staff for their dedication, locals in Highgate did not feel guilty about the restaurant’s closure. Chris Underhill from Prickett & Ellis estate agents near Don Ciccio mentioned that the area’s residents are discerning and have various dining options, including award-winning gastro pubs, which may have impacted the restaurant’s success.
Despite the disappointment of the closure, Valente plans to leverage his hospitality experience to open a new restaurant in London, emphasizing the importance of community support over wealth. Local businesses, like newsagent Brooksby, shared sentiments about the challenges of sustaining a restaurant in the area, pointing out previous closures and difficulties faced by establishments in that location.