The prospect of taking over a family-run Italian restaurant in Hucknall has been described as a 'rare opportunity' by a business sales agent. Bella Mia in Annesley Road has gone on the market, little over a year after it reopened following a refurbishment.
Known for Italian fine dining with a menu including risotto, pizza, pasta and steak, the detached property is listed on Rightmove for £165,000. It is being marketed by Leeds-based Ernest Wilson, a transfer agent for business sales.
The description on the Rightmove listing describes it as: "A rare opportunity to acquire a well-established and highly regarded licensed Italian restaurant that is situated in a prominent location on the outskirts of Nottingham. The property was converted to a high standard by our clients from a public house to a restaurant a number of years ago...
"The restaurant offers plenty of scope to grow the business. It is an ideal opportunity for an experienced restaurateur to take the business forward, either with the current or alternative cuisine." The restaurant reopened to allow customers back inside in May last year, in line with when Covid restrictions eased at the time.
The reopening followed an extensive refurbishment in which the restaurant underwent a deep clean, the inside repainted and with changes made to the table layout. The family behind the business said the pandemic had affected it badly, with customer numbers having been affected when restrictions were introduced.
The listing on Rightmove adds: "The premises would also lend themselves well to a gastro pub. Internally there are spacious restaurant facilities with seating for up to 150 covers with a large bar and dining areas. The commercial kitchen is very well equipped. The lower ground floor contains the beer cellar, storage, office, staff toilets and stand-up fridge and freezers."
The restaurant had excellent reviews on Trip Advisor with an average of four out of five stars. Visitors praised the little touches which made them feel valued.
One person wrote: "First-time visitors: Friendly welcoming atmosphere. Huge menu. Very tasty food, big portions. Good value. Great service. Will visit again highly recommended. A lovely touch with the thank you chocolate with your bill."
Another wrote: "Visited Saturday night for dinner, nice warm welcome by staff, good pre-meal bar/lounge, excellent service, shown to table on time, good waiter service, order taken promptly. Food hot and tasty, no issues. Sensible prices, no silly service charges, just common sense. Well done staff, you were great, return soon."
Last year, restaurant manager Daniel Senja said Government grants had "kept us alive". And, before Bella Mia was able to open inside to customers, Mr Senja said it had been a challenge when the hospitality industry was only able to offer outside dining. "By half seven or eight o'clock it gets way too cold to be outside. They want to pack up and leave," Mr Senja of the previous coronavirus restrictions which applied.The family declined to comment when approached by Nottinghamshire Live over the potential sale.
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