Brucciani's cafe in Preston to remain open as Wigan branch ceases trading after 27 years

The cafe in Fishergate said it is a separate business to the Wigan branch, which opened 27 years ago in The Galleries shopping centre.

Staff at the Preston branch said the cafe and ice cream parlour will continue as normal.

The Wigan branch shocked customers by announcing its sudden closure via a notice in the cafe's window yesterday (Monday, March 16).

Later that day, management revealed the reason for its closure on Facebook.

Bosses cited increasing costs and a decline in footfall in the town centre and The Galleries shopping centre for its closure.

"It comes with heartfelt regret that as from today Monday, March 16, Brucciani Wigan has ceased trading", read the announcement.

"Being up against increasing costs, decline in footfall into the town centre and the Galleries shopping centre, and the closure of other major retailers have all obviously been a massive contribution to this very hard decision.

"Being up against increasing costs, decline in footfall into the town centre and the Galleries shopping centre, and the closure of other major retailers have all obviously been a massive contribution to this very hard decision."

Lorenzo Brucciani, whose family opened the famous cafes across the North West, died in June 2015 aged 82.