Puccini in Swinton has been a popular spot for more than 40 years but is now closing for good after trade plummeted, staff became harder to find and costs rose
A restaurant that has welcomed sporting legends and celebrities is shutting its doors after more than four decades in business.
Puccini first launched in Swinton, Greater Manchester back in 1982, and has been operated by Michele Pucci since 1990. Now, he says he has been left with little option but to permanently close the Chorley Road establishment. The 65-year-old explains that since the pandemic, custom has declined, recruiting skilled staff has become increasingly difficult, and with soaring overheads they “simply can’t afford to be here anymore”.
“Trade is dying, Swinton is dying and we’re dying in Swinton,” he said. “I have tried really hard to keep it going, but the council is doing nothing to support local businesses and the landlord isn’t interested.
“We’re closed at the moment for three weeks holiday but we won’t be reopening and I just want to thank customers for their support over the years as they have helped us to keep going for so long.”, reports the Manchester Evening News.
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The Italian eatery, known locally as Puccinis, has been a firm favourite with sports teams over the years. The England football squad once reserved the entire venue, whilst former Manchester United stars Gary Neville and Ryan Giggs were regular diners – so frequent that the menu even featured a Penne Alla Neville dish named after Gary.
Hollywood icon Sylvester Stallone visited in 2015 during a break from shooting a Warburtons advert in Bolton, whilst other notable guests have included ex-Prime Minister David Cameron, Alex Ferguson, Sven-Goran Eriksson and several boxing champions including Joe Fraser and Roberto Duran. “It is not the same as it used to be,” said Michele, whose twin sons Nicholas and Christopher, now 42, used to work at the family restaurant when they were younger.
“The area is run down, parking is very difficult and some of the older people who used to come have sadly passed away. Younger generations want to be in new places and different places and I don’t blame them.
“We do still have our loyal customers and if it wasn’t for them we wouldn’t have been here for so long, but it’s not enough to keep going. Sometimes at weekends it’s still busy but in the week it’s quiet and I still have to pay for staff.”
Since Brexit, Michele says recruiting staff has become increasingly difficult, with many previously arriving from overseas. “A lot of English people prefer other jobs as the hours are very anti-social and catering isn’t for everybody – you work weekends, Christmas, Easter, Mother’s Day, it’s a big sacrifice,” he said. “After Covid, a lot of people found other jobs that pay better so we don’t have much choice and people aren’t trained up so that’s another problem because it takes time to train people up.”
He says he’s ‘not a politician’, but from what he witnesses in his restaurant, what the government is doing isn’t working – and battling to try to make it work is making him ill. “This is our little kingdom and it’s failing,” he explained.
“With National Insurance, VAT, rent, rates, gas, electric, wages, suppliers, all of that, it’s just too much. I’m disappointed because we tried our best, but we have been left with no choice.
“I’m sad we have to close but it is now affecting my health. For the last year and a half I have been working 60/70 hours a week, six days a week. Money comes and goes but I have to look after my health.”
Michele, whose charity nights at the restaurant have generated hundreds of thousands of pounds for numerous good causes through the years, has informed his team that the doors won’t reopen. Approximately 15 jobs, both full-time and part-time, will be impacted.
He’s now supporting his wife as she launches her own coffee shop and wine bar in the area, though he’ll be taking a less hands-on approach to her new business.
Just last month, we covered the ongoing demands to revitalise Swinton and tear down the Lancastrian Hall and Central Library, which sit adjacent to the restaurant.
Salford council confirmed there are no current plans for the building, though stressed that a strategy for its future is being developed.
A council spokesperson commented: “Swinton has many strengths, but like other towns, it needs investment and regeneration to deliver its potential. Salford’s town centres are important to the city’s future, and the council identified Eccles and Swinton as priority areas for regeneration.
Source: Mirror
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