Italian restaurant denies it is arrivederci

Verdes in Eccleston near Chorley looked doomed after staff were made redundant during lockdown.

But manager Gabi Valenzuela has revealed the waterfront Italian eaterie, which underwent a £500,000 refurbishment only last year, could be back open “very soon” with takeover talks at an advanced stage.

“It’s great news - not just for us but for the village,” said Gabi. “Things weren’t looking good when staff were told they were being made redundant. But now all that has changed and we are hopeful of being open again very soon.”

Owners Norwest Leisure Ltd from East Lancashire are said to have struck a deal with an unnamed buyer, with the sale close to completion.

“The new owner doesn’t wish to be named right now until the deal is over the line,” explained Gabi, who has been at the restaurant since it first opened 26 years ago.

“Four of us have been on furlough, but the rest of the staff - six full-time and 10 or 11 part-time - were let go.

"The new owner, who I have to say is a very good professional, wants to take them all back on, but some will probably have got other jobs by now.

"Hopefully we can get most of them back because they were a great team.”

Regulars took to social media to voice their concerns when rumours of the closure were first heard.

One, June Davenport, said: “Such a shame as so popular with people from the village and beyond.” Kathryn Gaule said: “Huge loss to the village.”

And Lynne Washington added: “Verdes is a much-loved treasure.”