A restaurant’s message to customers following its closure has gone viral after it aired grievances towards the reason behind its downfall.
Don Ciccio in Highgate, London, closed its doors earlier this month following six years of business. Despite a vast wave of closures to hit Britain’s biggest city, Don Ciccio’s owners took to social media with a strong-worded statement directed to customers, criticising the local community.
“We have closed due to a lack of customers. It wasn’t enough to be Traveller’s Choice 2023 – 2024 – 2025 on TripAdvisor. It wasn’t enough to be told we had one of the best pizzas in London,” the statement read.
“It wasn’t enough to hold 4.7 stars on Google, with 700 reviews, for every one of those six years. Nor to change our menu each season, roaming through the flavours of Italy.”
Loyal diners were briefly thanked at the end of the statement before directing the blame back to the local community.
“We may be the first Italian restaurant to close... not for bad food, bad reviews, or bad luck, but for the sheer indifference of our neighbours. To the community of Highgate and its neighbours, thank you for never supporting us, not even once.”
The reaction has caused an uproar with local residents in the Highgate area, who have called the move “unfair” and “rude”, with several even adding that such an attitude wouldn’t be welcomed in their community, regardless.
The statement went on to attack locals for not returning following the pandemic, and for local community groups for allegedly ignoring their attempts at communication.
“To those we served during lockdown, when we were the only restaurant open, thank you for never visiting us once the pandemic ended. To the Highgate Society, thank you for never replying to any of our proposals for collaboration,” it read.
"To those who lived a few doors away yet ordered delivery from somewhere else, thank you for your commitment to distance.”
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