Old owners blamed as two South Wiltshire traders prepare to close
Pizza Venti in Salisbury and The Bay Window Gift Shop in Wilton are shutting
Two independent traders in South Wiltshire have announced they are closing their doors.
The Bay Window Gift shop on North Street, Wilton and Pizza Venti on Salisbury’s Fisherton Street have confirmed they are shutting up shop.
Both made their announcements on Facebook.
No closing date has been given for Pizza Venti, but The Bay Window Gift Shop will close on 31st July and will be replaced by the re-locating Lucky Leads pet shop after a refurbishment of the property.
Top rated restaurant fails in revival attempt
Pizza Venti is rated as the top restaurant in Salisbury on Trip Advisor.
In an honest Facebook post, Pizza Venti owners Alexandru and Maria Popescu blamed issues with the building that they weren’t aware of ‘destroying’ their family budget due to the repair works required, claiming they were ‘misled’ when taking over the building.
They said: “We have taken the hard decision to give up our dream regarding Pizza Venti.
We don't know where to start to explain the reasons why we are giving up. To summarise, we can say we were very naive.”
In their post, they listed the investments that had been made to maintain the property in which they ran the restaurant, including a new smoke evacuation system, new building heating and various other small repairs.
“We believed so much in what we wanted to achieve with the business and in the quality of our products and services, we were sure that if we do many sacrifices, we will come out stronger and we will overcome all our challenges,” Alexandru and Maria said in the Facebook post.
A new chef was brought in earlier this year to try and revive the business but with Alexandru returning to his native country, it became tough to manage business apart.
New opportunities and time sort an unruly garden
The Bay Window Gift Shop has been open for nine years and owner Jo said the financial climate had proved ‘difficult’ over the last 18 months.
She said on Facebook: “After nearly 9 successful, and at times challenging, years it is time for new opportunities, to spend time with my family, decorate our house and finally sort out my unruly garden and naughty dogs!
“So in some ways it is slightly bittersweet to have just won the Best Gift Shop Award from Quality Business Awards but also gratifying to be going out on something of a high.”
Jo had been hoping to sell the business, but that turned out not to be possible.
Her post said: “Some of you will know that I have dearly wanted to sell The Bay Window as an ongoing business and keep it open for all who love it. However, in the current financial climate this has proved difficult over the last year and a half and I am therefore very sad to tell you that the shop will be closing on the 31st July, 2023.”
Jo added that she will miss sourcing and displaying items but suggested a possible ‘Click & Collect’ point could be set up, details of which she will post on Facebook and Instagram.