Wirral: Owners of West Kirby restaurant announce closure

On Wednesday, March 6, owners of Est.Italian on Banks Road in West Kirby announced they could be closing the restaurant's doors due to the cost of repairs.

The Italian restaurant opened in 2017 and served authentic Italian food from pizza, pasta, beef, and fish to tiramisu and choux pastry specials.

In a statement, the owners thanked customers for their “tremendous support” over the years.

It read: “This is the saddest and most devastating post.

“After seven years of trading in wonderful West Kirby and many happy memories we have closed our doors with a very heavy heart. 

“We have had seven years of continuous fighting with our landlord over works they haven’t carried out, leaking roof etc. 

“Much to our amazement in February we were given a Schedule of Dilapidations, these needed to be completed to continue with our lease and therefore trade. 

“As the works totalled £161,218.50 + VAT it is far out of our small privately owned restaurants’ capabilities to complete the work.

“Sadly we have handed the keys back to the landlords at a very busy time of year and we have lost our huge investment and sixteen people have also lost their place of work. 

“I am sure many of you will be disappointed but we cannot thank you enough for your tremendous support, fun, and laughter over the years. The staff made some great friends and will miss you dearly.

“We want to apologise profusely for this untimely closure but we hope that you will find a booking with one of the many superb places to eat in and around West Kirby.

“We wish you all the very best and we are grateful for your support and understanding.”

A spokesperson for Star Pubs said: “We want the pubs and premises that we lease to succeed and thrive. Where a licensee has issues, we provide guidance and financial help and we have done this at the Est Italian. We do not discuss licensee’s individual business arrangements so are unable to provide more specific information.”