News / Restaurants
Battle to save much-loved pizzeria from being turned into student flats
A much-loved Italian restaurant is under threat of eviction after more than 50 years, and they need Bristol’s help to avoid it being turned into student flats.
The family-owned pizzeria needs people to spread the word about their battle and the petition to save them, which has so far been signed by more than 2,000 people.
Vincenzo’s on Park Street was opened by Naples-born Vincenzo Ricci in 1970, with Vincenzo and his wife Teresa taking over a small bookshop.
is needed now More than ever
Their three children grew up there and now own the business following the passing of their parents.
Isabella, Rafaele and Giuseppe are born and bred Bristolians and have worked in their mum and dad’s restaurant for their entire lives.
The roof terrace of Vincenzo’s in 1971, with Isabella in the foreground – photo: Vincenzo’s
They speak nostalgically about their childhood at 71 Park Street, sleeping on flour sacks in the warmth under the pizza oven, creating a sun terrace on the roof of the former TM Lewin below, and all of their family mucking in and being a part of business.
Now they face a battle that threatens to take away their lives’ work, with the possibility that the Ricci family could even be evicted from the property.
As Bristol24/7 first reported in 2018, a planning application – which was granted in May 2019 – is for the demolition and redevelopment of the current building to provide 17 student flats and a new shop on the ground floor.
The interior of Vincenzo’s has remained mostly unchanged since the 1970s – photo: Mitch Bacholer
“We’ve known this day would be coming for a while,” said Isabella Ricci.
“We are hopeful we will get a new 15-year lease, but the threat of eviction hangs over us and we’ve already invested a lot of time and money trying to save our family restaurant.”
She added: “I’m a business owner. This restaurant is all I know. I’m pretty stuffed without it to be honest.
“My brothers, our kids, our parents and our cousins worked here. It’s our family home.”
To sign the petition to help save Vincenzo’s, visit www.change.org/p/help-save-vincenzo-s-pizza-house-bristol-s-oldest-family-owned-restaurant
Main photo: Mitch Bacholer
Read more: Half-century-old restaurant could make way for student accommodation
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