Burnley Hospitality Hell: 'I miss the people and the buzz...I miss the memories we create' – Palazzo owner

Italian restaurant Palazzo opened five years ago after Pino and his wife, Carolyn, fell in love with the architecture, history and location of the Grimshaw Street building.

"As a caterer, nothing is as important as beautiful food, but must be delivered in an amazing surrounding, which the Palazzo truly offers," said Pino. "

"Since we opened, we have gone from strength-to-strength to be recognised as one of the finest restaurants in Burnley.

"This makes me proud beyond reason, and I feel the biggest sense of fulfilment every time I walk inside the building."

Pino offered the Burnley Express his views on the current situation while imploring other restaurant owners to remain positive, and "hold on to the spirit of Burnley".

What do you miss most about being open?

I miss the people and the buzz, the happiness myself and my team delivered day in and day out. We looked after every person, of every age, for every occasion. I miss the life the people brought to our team, and the buzz that everyone from the surrounding areas felt with us

The passion our Burnley supporters bring every game day, for a beer or a meal, that’s what I miss.

I especially miss the memories we create to everyone who celebrates, be it a group of friends having a catch up, an engagement, a birthday, an anniversary, or just a warming bowl of pasta that brought joy to everyone.

Do you think the hospitality sector has been unfairly treated?

The hospitality sector has been one of the hardest hit, from uncertainty of opening and closing on so many occasions.

As a restaurant, and like so many others around the country, we took every precaution to make each and every guest feel as safe as possible when using our facilities, and that’s why it's sad to see even that wasn’t enough.

However, if this is part of the effort that is needed for the country, we all must act in unison to get back the beautiful nightlife we miss.

We have still been lucky to be able to reinvent ourselves into a takeaway.

This has been growing in popularity and has meant not only delivering to our amazing customers every Thursday, Friday and Saturday, but keeping our team in work, and keeping their spirits high, because we are a family at the Palazzo, and must all support each other as best we can.

Will Burnley bounce back stronger?

Of course, Burnley will be stronger. Since my wife and I opened The Palazzo we have met hundreds and hundreds of amazing people, with amazing stories to tell, of their love for their hometown, and all the surrounding areas.

We will all prosper again and must hold on to the spirit of Burnley.

We hope for every customer, and every other restaurant, bar, club and leisure industry owner to be on their feet dancing with the great Burnley spirit we all know and love! In our HAPPY PLACE!