A RESTAURANT has slammed locals for ‘never supporting’ them after announcing its sudden closure.
The family-run eatery abruptly closed its doors for good last week, after six years in .
A restaurant has blamed locals after its sudden closureCredit: google
Don Ciccio is an Italian restaurant in Highgate’s Hampstead Lane, one of North London’s poshest postcodes.
But the owner has torn into locals, claiming “never supported us, not even once”.
The owners took to social media with a blistering farewell message, accusing residents of snubbing the restaurant despite its glowing reviews and awards.
“To those who lived a few doors away yet ordered delivery from somewhere else, thank you for your commitment to distance,” the post read.
It continued: “We may be the first Italian restaurant to close not for bad food, bad reviews, or bad luck – but for the sheer indifference of our neighbours.”
The furious note said chefs and waiting staff had suffered the “humiliation of an empty dining room”.
They blamed local groups, including The Highgate Society, for failing to engage with their offers to collaborate.
The message went on to boast of the restaurant’s 4.7-star rating and multiple awards, before adding: “To those who said, back in 2019, ‘they’ll close within three months’ — congratulations! You were only off by five years and nine months.”
The restaurant also added: “We’re proud to have served the elderly, the children, the families, the lonely, the joyful and the broken alike. At least we did our duty.”
Don Ciccio, known for its pizzas, risottos and cocktails, charged between £16 and £34 for mains, with desserts around £8.
While hundreds of diners had left glowing reviews over the years, recent ones painted a different picture.
Diners have posted complaints about slow service, smaller portions and one unhappy customer even claimed they were charged for tap water in a reused sparkling water bottle.
The Highgate Society hit back, insisting it couldn’t always respond to every local business due to being run entirely by volunteers.
Chair Andrew Sulston told Ham & High : “We are always very sorry when any local business closes.
“Because Highgate Society has no paid staff and all our activities are run by volunteers, we unfortunately cannot always follow up on all requests.”
Locals now face one less dining option in Highgate, though some might be wondering if they’re the ones to blame.
TROUBLE FOR UK HOSPITALITY
The UK’s hospitality sector has struggled in the face of rising costs and punters having less to part with at the till.
In January 2023, with owners saying it would result in the loss of over 200 .
Around 12 branches were saved in a rescue deal with Tristar Foods, which is owned by Calveton.
(TRG), which owned Frankie & Benny’s, Chiquito and Wagamama, shut dozens of sites in the same year.
It then went on to to Cafe Rouge owner The Big Table group in September 2023.
Italian restaurant chain Prezzo also closed of sites in the same year.
But despite this, there has been a growing appetite in the UK for international fast-food brands.
Countless American chains are eager to dip their toe in the UK market, offering a glimmer of hope for the fast-casual dining market.
has been a favourite fast food joint in the US , particularly known for its chicken fingers.
And its first flagship will open in London‘s Piccadilly Circus, to mark the brand’s debut
Chick-Fil-A has also opened two sites in .
Carl’s Jr is also set to open after opening a branch in Wales.
It’s one of the fastest-growing chicken in the sector and already has more than 80 UK locations.
