The award winning L’Aperitif restaurant in Stranraer has been sold by Bruce & Co after receiving an offer near to its asking price.
Brothers Massimo and Douglas Lisi hung up their aprons for the last time in the restaurant that has been serving authentic Italian food since 1965. Originally founded by the brothers’ late father Natale, the restaurant was voted the Top Pasta Restaurant in Britain in 2005, but the accolades didn’t stop there.
In 2011, chef Douglas was nominated for Galloway’s Chef of the Year award, organised by Galloway Life magazine, and Massimo is an award winning cocktail maker who represented Britain in the World Cocktail Championships in 2003.
L’Aperitif is only one of two evening restaurants in Stranraer and offers an impressive choice of Italian and Scottish cuisine. Despite having 30 covers downstairs and 55 covers upstairs, the restaurant is usually fully booked up on Friday and Saturday nights.
It’s no surprise that the business was so popular with buyers, receiving four offers from different parties before the sale was agreed. And it seems that the businesses reputation has travelled South – the successful offer came from a buyer in Essex, whereas another offer came from London.
Massimo Lisi commented: “My family and I would like to thank Bruce & Co for all their hard work and dedication shown in assisting with the sale of my business. I found the levels of communication from our sales negotiator to be first class. She was very attentive, professional and knowledgeable and went the extra mile for us, I could not have asked for better. I would not hesitate to recommend Bruce & Co to anyone.”
And Bruce & Co’s Kaira Massie, who handled the sale, said: “We were absolutely thrilled to have been able to facilitate the sale of such a prestigious and renowned restaurant. The business is so popular that it trades on its reputation alone, offering a fantastic opportunity for the new owner, and we are sure they will continue to provide quality cuisine to Stranraer and beyond. On behalf of Bruce & Co I would like to wish both parties every success in the future.”