A POPULAR Italian restaurant in Christchurch is preparing to re-open its doors to customers.
La Mamma restaurant will be opening at its new site at 12pm on Wednesday, September 28.
It follows months of hard work to return the well-loved eatery to the town.
James Roberts, one of the businessmen taking on La Mamma, said: “There’s been a big La Mamma’s shaped hole in Christchurch.
“It’s very exciting to return it, but also nerve wracking. We appreciate fully that is a big pair of shoes to step into.”
La Mamma first opened in Bridge Street in 1974, and quickly became a cherished restaurant within the community, but in October last year, owner John Mirco made the “difficult decision” to retire and close the restaurant.
It was James, alongside business partners Andrew and Kenny, that pledged to breathe life back into La Mamma, and re-open it at a new location just a two-minute walk down the road.
James said: “La Mammas is a long-standing part of the Christchurch community.
“We felt it would be a great idea to rejuvenate the name, but not only the name, the entire philosophy and concept, to include brining in the same chefs, the same menu- everything that was loved and remembered during the 45 years that La Mamma was running.
“John did an incredible job with La Mamma. I’m very pleased to say that he remains as a consultant to us in his retirement, and what he brings is priceless really.”
Customers dining at La Mamma from Wednesday can expect a slightly larger building, with spacious indoor and outdoor seating, and Italian themed decorations.
James said: “It’s a different building in as much as the previous La Mamma was a Georgian house converted, and this is a grade 2 listed building pre-dating the old La Mamma building by a long way.
“We’ve had to take into account the fact that the building has a different character than that of La Mamma, but we’ve tried to introduce as many Italian elements as we can.”
The new La Mamma is opening at 7-9 Purewell, Christchurch, BH23 1EH.
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