Gary Neville even had a dish named after him
Puccini in Swinton is closing down(Image: )
A restaurant that’s played host to sporting stars and other famous faces is closing down after more than 40 years.
Puccini first opened in Swinton in 1982 and since 1990 has been run by Michele Pucci, who says he’s been left with no choice but to close the doors on the Chorley Road business for good.
Since the pandemic, he says trade has dropped, it’s become harder to find trained staff and with rising costs they ‘simply can’t afford to be here anymore’.
“Trade is dying, Swinton is dying and we’re dying in Swinton,” said the 65-year-old. “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.”
Sylvester Stallone at Puccini with owner Michele Pucci and his two sons(Image: Michele Pucci)
Known locally as Puccinis, the Italian restaurant has long been a popular spot with sports teams, with the England football squad once booking out the whole restaurant and former Manchester United players Gary Neville and Ryan Giggs paying regular visits. So much so that the menu even featured a Penne Alla Neville dish inspired by Gary.
In 2015, Sylvester Stallone dined there on a break from filming a Warburtons ad campaign in Bolton, while other visitors have included former Prime Minister David Cameron, Alex Ferguson, Sven-Goran Eriksson and several boxers 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 it’s become harder to get staff, many of whom would previously have come from abroad.
Gary Neville was once a familiar face inside Puccini(Image: )
“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 sees in his restaurant, what the government is doing isn’t working – and struggling to try to make it work is making him ill.
“This is our little kingdom and it’s failing,” he said. “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.”
Puccini’s owner Michele Pucci with Salford bookmaker Fred Done and his wife Mo at one of the restaurants’ many charity fundraising nights(Image: Salford Advertiser)
Michele, whose restaurant charity nights have raised hundreds of thousands for various causes over the years, has let his staff know that the restaurant will not be reopening. Around 15 full and part-time roles will be affected.
Only last month we reported how there have been repeated calls to improve Swinton and demolish the Lancastrian Hall and Central Library, which are next to the restaurant.
Salford council said there are no immediate plans for the building, but added that a vision for the future is in the works.
A council spokesperson said: “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.
“While there are no immediate plans for The Lancastrian Hall, plans for Swinton are set to move forward after regeneration work in Eccles and future decisions regarding the building will be guided by a comprehensive plan for the area developed in partnership with the community.”