Taste of Italy on Colchester Northern Gateway Leisure park

The award-winning Italian restaurant Taste of Italy, which has a branch in Chelmsford, was announced for Northern Gateway Leisure Park in Colchester back in October 2023.

However, it has been uncertain when the restaurant would open its new branch at the multi-million-pound development.

It was revealed on Wednesday that Cineworld has pulled out of the Northern Gateway project following a financial restructuring of the business.

Site - Northern Gateway (Image: Newsquest) Colchester Council then confirmed that “some restaurant tenants” have decided to delay fitting-out their units until a new cinema operator is found.

Restaurant brands like Kaspa’s Desserts, Joyato Sushi and Grill, El Guaca, and Taste of Italy are all still yet to open.

Owned by Sergio Teacu, 32, and partner Lucia Pronesti, 30, of Silver End, the Italian eatery has has been some setbacks.

Sergio said: “Unfortunately, there has been lots of issues with the new scheme at Northern Gateway Leisure Park but in the end we will open.

Business owners - Sergio and Lucia at the PAPA Industry Awards on November 9 last year (Image: Newsquest) “Also, the Cineworld not opening influenced all this, but we have hopes high that in the end another cinema will open eventually.

“With us opening there, hopefully we will attract people to come and enjoy our food.”

The business has confirmed that fitting works have begun, and they hope to open around mid-December.

MP Pam Cox said, “This is a blow to the Northern Gateway development, but I hope that talks with other potential operators prove fruitful.

Coming later this year - the Taste of Italy unit (Image: Newsquest) “The Northern Gateway is a crucial development for Colchester and offers fantastic opportunities for businesses with future growth in the area.

“I look forward to assisting the council in attracting investment to the area.”

Colchester’s former MP Sir Bob Russell said: “The collapse of the Cineworld deal prompts the question whether Colchester Council should have embarked on such a commercial project and the wider Northern Gateway development.

“Some things are perhaps best left for the private sector to take the risks.

Still empty - the Kaspa's Desserts unit (Image: Newsquest) “No doubt councillors on the scrutiny committee will be discussing what has happened at Northern Gateway. How did this come about?”

Colchester Council Leader David King said: “We look forward to all those restaurants which are lined up and want to come whilst being comfortable and ready to come on the site.

“It is our job to give them confidence, we are in close contact with them through our agents.

“We are working hard on a new cinema operator, and we have been keeping them in touch with our developments and progress.

Council leader - Councillor David King at Northern Gateway Leisure Park (Image: Newsquest) “The fact they that they intend to come here is a sign of confidence, timing is just a reality.

“They are committed, that is our view, so this is a hesitation of the moment, and it’s linked to the cinema’s opening, we understand that, despite Hollywood Bowl doing so well.

“We are hopeful they will join the others, and it is our job to ensure that as swiftly as we can we get a new cinema operator on board.

“We will be keeping them closely sighted of that.”

The Gazette has contacted Kaspa’s Desserts, Joyato Sushi and Grill,  and El Guaca for comment but did not hear back.