Famed Italian restaurant group San Carlo has swooped to buy celebrity chef Gino D'Acampo's Alderley Edge fine dining Italian restaurant Luciano. Gino had only launched the restaurant just over a year ago, after taking over the former Piccolino site in the upmarket Cheshire village.
San Carlo is known for its northern flagship on King Street in Manchester city centre beloved by footballers and superstars. It also owns the Cicchetti, Fumo and Bottega restaurants in the city centre as well as San Carlo Fiorentina in Hale.
The family-run restaurant group plans to turn Luciano into its first ever Alderley Edge San Carlo restaurant. Gino's Luciano will remain open for business until February 14 for a last Valentine's Day supper before closing.
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San Carlo will then take ownership of the restaurant from February 15, when the restaurant will close for approximately five weeks for a refurbishment. All staff from Luciano will transfer over to the new site, bosses say.
The takeover deal was confirmed by both parties on Thursday. A joint statement released today said: "Leading upmarket restaurant operator San Carlo has acquired iconic Alderley Edge restaurant Luciano.
"The deal, announced today (February 9th), is part of the (Luciano) business’s strategy to focus on opening upmarket restaurants in national and international major cities."
Luciano sits at a prime spot on Alderley Edge's main London Road, with a sprawling outdoor terrace. It is also sits conveniently right next to Alderley Edge train station.
Commenting on the deal, Marcello Distefano, Managing Director of San Carlo, says: “We are delighted to acquire such a prominent location in our heartland the North West and look forward to welcoming it into our Italian family.”
Steven Walker, Chairman of Gino D’Acampo’s growing restaurant business, says: “The deal is part of our strategy to focus on opening upmarket restaurants in central London and major UK cities such as our imminent openings in Leeds and Manchester, together with international locations. I wish Marcello and his father Carlo the very best of success for the future and could not think of a better home for this fabulous location."
The statement concluded: "After 20 years of competing with each other at the top of the premium Italian dining scene, Steven and Marcello see this as the start of a collaboration as they eye further opportunities together in the UK and overseas."
This Morning star Gino had previously spoken of his long desire to have a restaurant in Alderley Edge, with so many of his friends based in the area, part of Cheshire's "Golden Triangle".
He told the MEN at the launch event for the restaurant in January that he aimed to bring the "best Italian experience" to Alderley Edge. It served a fine dining menu of "premium, authentic Italian produce and recipes".
Gino said at the time: "When I saw this opportunity, I thought if you want to open the best Italian you choose the best site in Alderley Edge.
"How many great Italian-owned restaurants do you know? Run by people like me who go back to Italy all the time?
"I'm there every month getting the best ingredients, researching the best recipes, I bring them all back straight away to my restaurants. Luciano is the name of my first born child so it has to be a five star Italian restaurant experience and that is what it is."
Attentions will now turn to the launch of Gino's first ever Manchester Luciano restaurant, which he confirmed earlier this year would be at the well-known Restaurant Bar and Grill site on John Dalton Street in Manchester. He said it will become "the biggest Italian in Manchester" when it launches.
The new Luciano will span three floors, in addition to a showstopping terrace area. There will also be a areas that can be booked out for private dining, meetings and events.
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