Rigatoni’s, the new pasta restaurants born from the Sud rebrand, has announced the closure of one of its sites.
The business formerly known as Sugo, and latterly as Sud, confirmed today that its Sale restaurant is closing with immediate effect.
Sud Pasta founders Michael and Alex de Martiis decided to rebrand the restaurants as Rigatoni’s in a bid to create a ‘sustainable business’ that would stand the test of time.
With Rigatoni’s, they created a menu of hearty pasta dishes which were priced from just £7.50, each featuring pasta made fresh on site daily.
All four Sud Pasta sites – Ancoats, Altrincham, Sale and Exhibition, took on the new brand at the start of this year.
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But already, and sadly, the Sale restaurant is no more.
Rigatoni’s wrote that they had been unable to ‘navigate our way through those financial challenges’ that are facing the entire hospitality industry.
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In their statement they also urged customers to continue supporting the other local independents that are still trading from Stanley Square.
Rigatoni’s Sale posted today: “Dear valued customers and community. It is with a genuinely heavy heart that we announce the closure of our restaurant in Sale with immediate effect.
Rigatoni’s is closing its Sale restaurant
“We want to express our deepest gratitude for your support in Sale since 2022. This decision we hope you will understand, was not an easy one.
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“It is no secret that the hospitality industry, like many others, has faced huge challenges in recent times. Sadly, specifically in Sale and despite our best efforts, we haven’t been able to navigate our way through those financial challenges. Please continue to support your local businesses!
“As we say goodbye to Sale, we want to take a moment to acknowledge our dedicated staff, who have worked tirelessly. Their passion and hard work have been the backbone of our restaurant in Sale.
“You can continue to enjoy Rigatoni’s at our restaurants in Altrincham & Ancoats, as well as our kitchen at Exhibition in the city centre. And you don’t need us to tell you there’s a cracking set of shops, bars and restaurants in Stanley Square that we will continue to support.
“Thank you again from the bottom of our hearts for being a part of our journey; we will greatly miss serving the Sale community.
Hawksmoor issues statement after ‘kicking out’ Tommy Robinson from one of its restaurants
Daisy Jackson
Hawksmoor has issued a statement after a viral video captured far-right activist Tommy Robinson being asked to leave one of its restaurants.
In the video, staff at the acclaimed British steak house told Robinson – real name Stephen Yaxley-Lennon – that he would have to go because members of staff feel uncomfortable serving you’.
The supervisor then politely told the party not to worry about the drinks and that they had been paid for, also handing over a business card for Hawksmoor CEO Will Beckett in case they wanted to discuss the matter further.
Robinson was dining in one of the group’s London restaurants with former prominent EDL member Guramit Singh Kalirai who challenged the staff and asked: “Is it because of the colour of my skin?”
The supervisor responded: “No, no, no. We have a duty of care to our members of staff. We like to look after our people, as I’m sure you can understand.”
After the video went viral on X, Hawksmoor went on to share a statement in response, saying that guests and staff ‘felt uncomfortable and complained’.
The statement, signed by CEO Will Beckett, added that the Hawksmoor team has faced ‘a huge amount’ of ‘quite concerning’ fallout from the Tommy Robinson incident.
He added that ‘this was not about politics or beliefs’.
Hawksmoor’s statement reads: “Our focus is always to give the best restaurant experience to the most people possible.
“On Thursday, a public figure was asked to leave one of our restaurants because guests and staff felt uncomfortable and had complained. The party left peacefully and politely on request.
“This was not about politics or beliefs. Hawksmoor is not a political organisation; we’re a group of restaurants. We want to welcome as many people as possible, regardless of background or views, to our teams or as our guests.
“We’re not trying to engage in a public debate. The team has had to deal with a huge amount of fallout from this, some of which is quite concerning. We would like to get back to focussing on looking after those people, and our guests. Thank you to them, and the many of you who have been so supportive.”
Indie food and drink festival to return to popular Greater Manchester town for second year
Emily Sergeant
A food and drink festival shining a spotlight on independent businesses is returning to Greater Manchester this summer.
Following the success of last year’s tasty debut, Urmston’s very-own independent food and drink festival, YUM! – Your Urmston Matters, is back for its second serving later this month, and will once again be transforming the Trafford town’s M41 site on Railway Road into a buzzing hub of ‘flavour, fun, and local pride’.
Organised by Love Urmston and hosted by Urmston resident and food and drink presenter, Matty White, this community celebration will bring together top local street food vendors, artisan producers, and drink retailers, alongside live cooking demos, family activities, and loads of entertainment.
Now in its second year, YUM! continues to shine a spotlight on Urmston’s indie food scene and the passion of the people behind it, but as well as local residents, it also invites the rest of Trafford and the wider Greater Manchester community to come together.
So whether you just live down the road, or you are discovering the town for the first time, everyone is welcome to pop down.
“Bringing YUM! back for a second year is incredibly exciting,” commented Fred Davids, who is the Chair of the Love Urmston committee.
“It’s a brilliant way to celebrate what makes Urmston special – its community, and fantastic food and drink scene, welcoming people from near and far to experience the town at its best.
“And as a committee, we’re proud to support our incredible local independent businesses who put their heart and soul into everything they do.”
YUM! is returning to Urmston for another delicious festival this month / Credit: Emma Boyle (via Supplied)
Just some of the independent businesses you’ll find at the festival throughout the day include English Rose Bakery, Inforno Pizzeria, Dan’s Cookies, Banga Curries, JJ’s Caribbean Kitchen, The Greek Village, Pomona Island Brewery, Kelder Wines, and so many more.
The festival is also proudly sponsored by Gecko Homes – a north west property developer that specialises in creating affordable and shared ownership homes across many of Manchester’s most popular suburbs.
You can read more about what Gecko Homes is doing across the region here.
Daisy Jackson -
5th February 2024 
