La Famiglia, a beloved Italian restaurant in Newcastle, has closed its doors for the final time this week. The Denton venue was forced to shut as rising costs became too much to bear.
Closure announced on Facebook
The restaurant celebrated its ninth birthday in August, only to close months later. The announcement was made on Facebook, where supporters mourned the loss.
One customer commented: "Had many a birthday meal here and would always come for any special occasion we had. Such a shame that the world's price rises has ended such a beautiful place with beautiful people. All the best to everyone who made it what it was. A home away from home with good food and good friends."
Another praised the staff, saying: "So sad to hear this. Absolutely loved working there and loved the customers and staff. We had such a good time.. good luck to you Megan Rob and the rest of the staff for whatever your future holds. Met some amazing people and friends through here."
Statement from the restaurant
The restaurant released a statement: "It is with a heavy heart that we announce we have closed our doors for the final time."
"We have had an amazing decade serving you all, it has been an honour to be part of your birthdays, christenings, 1st holy communions, funerals, charity events, baby showers, family meals, Christmas and new years, to name a few."
"It has been a joy to see your children’s faces at our evenings with Santa but we are most proud of our work we have done with Newcastle social services where we have gifted nearly 10,000 Christmas presents to the most needy children."
The team partnered with social services to host a Christmas Charity Tree, where customers could pick a tag to buy a present for a child in need. The restaurant delivered the festive cheer to children from 2019 onwards.
Financial pressures cited
"We weathered Covid, break-ins and vandalism, but the current climate has made it increasingly difficult to continue. With the ongoing rise in the cost of produce, taxes, business rates and energy bills, we can no longer absorb these ever-increasing costs as a business or continue to make up the shortfall personally."
"Sadly, the financial pressures have reached a point where continuing under these circumstances is no longer sustainable."
"I would like to personally thank all of my customers and my team, with a special thank you to Rob and Megan without whom none of this would have been possible. Eternally grateful, Antoinette x"
The closure follows Paros Greek restaurant in Heaton, which announced it will shut its doors for good later this month.
