Gisburn restaurant celebrates huge boost after being named Britain’s best

One month after being named Britain’s No. 1 Best Local Restaurant 2026 and North West Best Local Restaurant by the Good Food Guide, La Locanda is celebrating the extraordinary impact the huge award has had on the restaurant, its team and its future.

The family-run Italian restaurant in Gisburn has experienced a significant increase in interest and bookings since the announcement, with all new customers on some evenings discovering La Locanda alongside long-standing guests returning to celebrate the achievement. Visitors are travelling from as far afield as Devon and London having seen us in the national press and booking are being made as far ahead as April 2027.

Owner Maurizio Bocchi says “The impact has been incredible. We have seen a real increase in bookings and many new faces coming through the door. People are travelling further to visit us.”

“For a small independent restaurant, an award like this can make a huge difference. It gives people confidence to book, it introduces you to a whole new audience and it puts Gisburn and the Ribble Valley on the map as a destination for amazing food.”

The recognition has also been a significant boost for the La Locanda team, who have worked tirelessly behind the scenes. They were invited to a special gathering hosted by friends of the restaurant at their home in Gisburn - a thoughtful opportunity to step away from the restaurant and spend time together.

“We wanted to mark the moment together,” says Cinzia, co-owner and Front of House Manager. “The award is not just for Maurizio and me. It is for every member of our team who comes to work every day with passion and care. Without them, La Locanda would simply not be what it is.”

The impact has extended beyond the immediate increase in bookings. The recognition has brought new attention to La Locanda’s story, its approach to authentic Italian regional cuisine and the importance the restaurant places on hospitality, tradition and relationships with its local community.

One month on, the restaurant is already back to business as usual - albeit with a few more reservations in the diary and many more people discovering their little corner of Italy in the Ribble Valley. They are hoping to recruit more staff from the local area and provide opportunities for more people to work in hospitality.

For Maurizio and Cinzia, the award has been more than a title. It has been recognition of years of hard work, a powerful endorsement from their customers and an important moment for the future of their independent restaurant.