An award-winning pizza company has announced the reopening date for its Cardiff restaurant after being forced to close temporarily. Dusty's will reopen its Papermill Road branch on Friday, August 26 after closing due to staff shortages. Dusty's, which also has a restaurant at Founders and Co in Swansea, has been a popular eatery and takeaway place since its inception in 2014 - when Dusty's was a travelling pizza van.
Run by Phill and Deb Lewis, who also head up Nook, its renowned summer sister pop-up Nook by the River, and sustainable outdoor restaurant Kindle - read more on their story here - Dusty's has been going from strength to strength but it seems temporary staffing issues has thrown a spanner in the works, meaning their Cardiff store is "cruising to having to close for a short period".
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In a new post released on Wednesday, August 17, the company said: "Sadly our Papermill Road location has been forced to close until the 26th of August due to low staffing levels."
It added: "We are also using this time to take a family holiday, hit the reset button & get ready to go again! We are so sorry for any inconvenience caused & hope to see you lovely bunch from the 26th August when we welcome in a new team."
The initial news of Dusty's temporary closure came a few days earlier with the company taking to social media to ask loyal customers for help: "HIRING CONUNDRUM. We just can’t get the staff! Faced with catastrophically poor staffing levels we are cruising to having to close for a short period. So if you or anyone you know is a trained pizza chef or has an exciting potential that needs to be nurtured then we are here for you."
It added: "We are able to offer a salary range of between £24-£27k; an immediate start; employee perks (more info at interview) and the career pathway to make a significant difference within this growing company.
"What we need from you is commitment, a willingness to learn & to enjoy being part of a small independent restaurant group in Cardiff. We have three sites due to open this year and are looking to fill our vacancies as soon as possible to kick the autumn off with a bang. We welcome applications from all backgrounds. Please email info@dustyspizza.co.uk or DM direct."
The post was signed off with: "Once we have more chefs in play we will be able to advertise for management positions but please do get in touch if you have an interest in this level of work. HELP CARDIFF PLEASE."
It comes just months after the pizzeria announced it would be offering a helping hand to Cardiff families who are struggling financially by launching a scheme in which those in need could get their famous lockdown pizza kits for free - read more on that here - and a matter of weeks after Dusty's closed its Barry site.
Seeing the sunny side of the situation, Dusty's said of this closure: "What may seem as a negative step for some is a positive one for us as a business and as part of the wider restaurant group. Over the next few weeks we will be moving out of the site. That oven is a force to be reckoned with."
Dusty's location in Papermill Road, Canton, will be closed until August 26. The Swansea location is open as usual. For updates visit the website.
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