A decade of The Palazzo: Burnley restaurant celebrates 10 years at the heart of the town’s dining scene

And there’s little doubt he has achieved just that.

Last month marks 10 years since The Palazzo opened in one of Burnley’s most distinctive buildings, a Florentine-style landmark in Grimshaw Street with marble columns, carved stonework and more than a century of history.

Pino, who used to own The Villa in Clitheroe, transformed the old bank in just six months after falling in love with the building on a visit to the town. “It was challenging but exciting,” he said. “Going from a bank to a restaurant is completely different, but the vision was always there.

”Reaching a decade feels especially significant to him given how tough the hospitality industry has become.

“The pandemic was the hardest thing our industry has been through,” he said. “But we actually came back stronger, and that was thanks to our loyal customers. They’ve been with us for the whole 10 years – and it’s also thanks to my staff, who work so hard alongside me, real professionals. Carolyn, my wife, she’s been instrumental too. Without them all, we wouldn’t be celebrating this anniversary.”

With rising energy bills, higher ingredient costs and the crippling rise in Employers National Insurance, Pino says the only way to survive is to keep standards high. “The quality of your product and your service will always succeed,” he said. “You can only pass prices increases on so much, but if you keep doing what you do best, people will always come out.” He believes the government could do more to support venues like his though, adding: “The VAT in our industry is the biggest killer. A lot of friends in hospitality are finding it really hard. Sometimes it feels like we’re not being listened to.”

Despite the challenges, what keeps him going is the community that has grown around The Palazzo. “It’s nice to see generations coming through,” he said. “Kids who were little when we opened have now grown up. It’s continuous, and I love that.”

The restaurant has also built a reputation for charity events, including major fundraisers for Pendleside Hospice, with more planned in the coming months.

As The Palazzo enters its next decade, one of the original bank vaults is being converted into a private dining wine cellar, complete with space for tastings. “When we opened the vault, there were thousands of old bank account records inside,” Pino said. “We cleared it out, and now we’re turning it into something special. I’m hoping it’ll be ready before Christmas.”

Looking back, he acknowledges some thought opening a restaurant of this kind in Burnley was a risk. But after 10 years, he says the town feels like home. “I absolutely love it here. We’ve had regulars who’ve supported us from the beginning. It’s like going from home to home.”

And he has no plans to stop. “I want to do this as long as I can,” he said. “Looking after customers, producing good food – that’s the easy part. If the government lets us keep going, there’ll be plenty more anniversaries.”