Gio's in Bournemouth closes due to the "state of town centre"

Gio's in Bournemouth town centre shut its doors at the beginning of October after struggling to stay afloat due to a "growing list" of problems the town centre is facing.

The restaurant opened its doors in October 2021 and the food represents the owner's heritage being South African Italian-Portuguese.

The owner Sergio told the Daily Echo he was "heartbroken" to see his restaurant close after putting everything into it, he believes the location and the lack of council support was the downfall of Gio's. 

Sergio said: "I am just heartbroken, after everything, all the free hours of hard work, I lived and breathed this shop, seeing everything taken down was just horrible. 

"Every comment we have had from customers about our food is always so positive, it is just the wrong location.

READ MORE: Gio's restaurant bringing big flavours to Bournemouth

"First when we opened it was covid, then the cost of living crisis so we hoped the summer boom would save us but that was pulled from underneath us. 

Bournemouth town centre. Photo by: Sergio (Image: Sergio)

"The council organising so many pop up food markets right by our restaurant took all our customers away.

"The council never promote anything from the top of the town it's always from the square downwards, I understand people visit Bournemouth to see the beach but the town centre will become a ghost town if they don't do something.

"I always chased them about the bins that were kept in the middle of the road because it would put off my customers and I never got a straight answer.

"There is also no parking on the road because of the double yellow which means customers are forced into the multi-story which closes at 8pm. 

"I have been in many conversations with the council but no action was ever taken, all they offered was their sympathy.

READ MORE: Beales boss backs claim that Bournemouth town centre is 'dying'

Bins outside Gio's. Photo by: Sergio (Image: Sergio)

"There is a growing list of things wrong with Bournemouth town centre, the empty shops, the parking, the homelessness, the fact people are scared to come down here at night.

"I'd like to reopen in the future, this isn't Gio's gone for good this is just Gio's gone from Bournemouth."

A BCP Council spokesperson said: “We’re sorry to hear that this business has decided to close its doors permanently. We understand its challenging times for businesses in town centres and our ‘Shop Local’ initiative is just one example of how we’re encouraging residents to explore their local area and support their local economy.

“We’ve not received any complaints regarding the bins on Yelverton Road which are regularly serviced and collected but we have received reports of noise coming from the ventilation system at the premises.

“The double yellow lines have been implemented for more than a decade. They are needed because the road is narrow and without them it would become obstructed by vehicles and inaccessible.”