DINERS in Pinner will be treated to yet another Italian restaurant in the High Street.
Restuarant chain Carluccio’s is planning to open a restaurant at the premises of Brasserie Gerard, which closed just over a month ago.
Plans have been lodged to Harrow Council to extend the opening hours to enable the restaurant to serve breakfast, opening at 8am on weekdays and Saturdays and 9am on Sundays.
Although this will bring the total number of Italian restaurants to four, Zizzi, Prezzo and Pizza Express said they are not concerned about the competition due to a vibrant community in Pinner.
Maria Perez, manager of Prezzo, which has been on the street for six years, said: “Of course it would be nice to have something different on the street, but this is another Italian restaurant.
“When Zizzi opened it affected us at first but business is still very good here. After a while people will choose which one they actually prefer.”
Carluccio’s is recruiting for staff for the new restaurant and there are indications it will open in the spring.
Andrea Legi, general manager of Zizzi’s said: “I think it is great that we will have such a big chain in front of us. I think it will bring more people to the street, people will have more options.”
However, shopkeepers in the High Street have conflicting views about what it will bring to Pinner.
Diana Waissel, who owns DNK London clothes shop, said: “Carluccio’s is completely different restaurant to the others and I hope it will bring more upmarket people here.
“There has been a gap since Brasserie Gerard closed as it was such a community place and the staff were incredible. All the old people would go in there for breakfast and were very upset about it closing.”
Her husband, Morris, added: “The problem now is that big chains can pay high rents which landlords will demand from every shop. Pinner High Street will just become like every other high street. It really needs a revamp with independent local stores.”
The company which owns Brasserie Gerard, Paramount, went into administration last November and Carluccio’s bought four of their sites in Berkhamstead, Reigate, Teddington and Pinner.
What do you think about the new arrival? Email your views to hannahbewley@trinitysouth.co.uk
