A long-standing Sunderland restaurant completed its final service in its home of 31 years last night, waving goodbye to their familiar territory after Sunderland City Council plan to demolish it to make way for a new Culture House.
Luciano's Ristorante has stood tall on High Street West since June 1991, with owners Habib and Masoud Farahi working tirelessly to build a reputation and provide beautiful Italian dishes to the people of the North East.
However, their tenancy is set to expire without renewal, with the Council planning to demolish the rented site as part of their Riverside Masterplan - in a bid to breathe life and culture into the city centre itself.
Read more: End of an era: Sunderland restaurant reveals closing date after 30 years 'with deep sadness'
In-turn, the eatery announced their last day of service last Friday (March 25), in which they told loyal customers that they would be closing their doors for the final time on Saturday April 2 - with the premises having to be evacuated and cleared by tomorrow (April 4).
And that day fast approached, marking a dark occasion for the restaurant enthusiasts of Wearside.
A Facebook post was sent out on Luciano's official page yesterday morning, reminding customers of the restaurant's closure. It read: "Today is the day we didn’t want to come - our last day. Goodbyes are not forever, goodbyes are not the end, they simply mean we will miss you all, until we can meet and eat again."
And loyal customers to Luciano's over the years wasted no time in sharing their fond memories and well wishes to the restaurant on the post itself, as Habib and Masoud continue their search for a new home.
Alison Manley, wrote: "So sad, an iconic Italian restaurant. Good luck to you all, so many special memories I've had eating with you. All the best for the future Luciano's Ristorante," while Tracey Alden, commented: "This is so sad! Please get somewhere else soon. We have so many happy memories of your lovely restaurant, fabulous staff & great food. We will be booking in as soon as you reopen! Best wishes from The ALDEN Family!"
Rob King, added: "Sad days. We've celebrated so many special occasions in Luciano's. It's a great date night as well!! All the best, hope you can get a new premises."
Jason Gillingham, shared: "Fantastic times had over many years, wishing you well, until we eat again," while Dionne Gair, added: "Thank you for all the lovely meals we have had there since our first over 20 years ago. Good luck to the future."
Linda Chapman, said: "Beautiful restaurant and beautiful people who run it. So sad good luck for the future, we will come and see u in your new location," while Wendy Blanckley commented: "So sad. Hope you rise from the ashes with splendour, like a beautiful Phoenix."
And countless others also took the Luciano's official Facebook page with kind comments and happy memories.
On the closure, Chief executive of Sunderland City Council, Patrick Melia, last week said: “Ambitious cities develop and change, and transformational programmes like the one we are delivering in our city centre will – inevitably – mean that some businesses relocate as new developments move forward.
“We set out plans to develop Culture House in 2019, with a vision to create a world-class venue that will inspire and excite people of all ages.
"Sunderland needs impressive new visitor attractions in the city centre, to draw people in and complement, and indeed stimulate the growth of, the wider retail and leisure offer.
“Given the plans we have for Culture House, we have worked hard to support Luciano’s – who are based in an existing building that will be demolished to make way for the development – as they look to start a new chapter elsewhere in the city. They have been given seven years’ notice of our intention to redevelop the area, and we have worked with them since to offer a significant reduction in rent in recognition of the fact we could not guarantee they could remain there in the long term.
"We have also actively supported them to explore alternative locations that might be suitable as they prepared to vacate their premises. Ultimately, though we can support - and indeed have worked hard to do so – it is right that Luciano’s’ management team makes its own decision about where it is based and we will continue to work with them to support as much as we can as they look for a new home.”
It is hoped that the Culture House will bring a 'vibrant, dynamic and engaging space' to the city.
