Member Article

Forty year old Newcastle Italian restaurant returns under new management

Italian restaurant Don Vito’s has made a return to Newcastle’s ever expanding leisure scene, reopening following a refurbishment and now operating under new management.

Andreas Spahiu, who has spent a number of years working in restaurants and bars in the city, is now the owner and operator of the Pilgrim Street site.

Currently working with a team of six at the restaurant, Andreas is also in the process of recruiting a further two members of staff and aims to have a ten-strong workforce by the end of 2015.

Newcastle law firm Ward Hadaway assisted Andreas in securing the lease to make his first venture possible.

Andreas said: “I have worked in kitchens and restaurants for a number of years but this is the first time I have opened up one on my own.

“Don Vito’s has got a very long history trading as an Italian restaurant in Newcastle, it first opened its doors 39 years ago, and is well known in the city.

“We will be cooking 100% Italian recipes using only fresh ingredients, none pre-cooked or pre-prepared, and every wine we sell, all the pasta and all the cooked meats come direct from Italy. All our other supplies, such as fresh fish, meat and vegetables come from local suppliers, and will help to grow the local supply chain.”

The new owner also paid tribute to Matt Cormack, Associate in the Commercial team at Ward Hadaway, and the team who helped turn his dream into a reality.

Andreas added: “Matt and his colleagues were there for us right from the beginning advising us not only on all the legal aspects of getting the restaurant up and running, but also commercially with their understanding of key business issues for us as a new business, and with their expertise from previous transactions. We are very grateful for that advice, which has helped us to secure the right start to our business venture.

“Even now, after we have bought the place, Matt is still on hand to give advice and he and the Ward Hadaway team have been a fantastic help for us, and seem really excited by our plans for the restaurant.”

Matt Cormack commented: “It is terrific to have been given the opportunity to assist Andreas in starting up the restaurant.

“Getting the right legal foundations is vital to the success of any business. Andreas recognises and appreciates that so it has been great to be able to help him get the right start for Don Vito’s.

“Andreas showed a real appetite and desire to take on the restaurant, and I’m sure that coupled with his passion for food and knowledge of the restaurant sector, his customers will not be left hungry.”