Shock closure of Swinton Restaurant that was loved by many

A restaurant that has been at the heart of Swinton for over 40 years has announced a shock closure.

Puccini’s Pizzeria Restuarant, Swinton. (Image - Finlay Nairn-White)

After spending 40 years on Swinton’s high street, Puccini’s Restaurant has announced they will be closing their doors.

Puccini first opened in Swinton in 1982 and was taken over by the current owner, Michele Pucci in 1990.

As the business grew in the first 11 years, Puccini’s relocated from Station Road where it was initially founded to its new location under the Lancastrian Hall in 1993. It has been based here ever since.

Speaking to the MEN, Michele Pucci said “Trade is dying, Swinton is dying and we’re dying in Swinton.”

He went on to say “I have tried really hard to keep it going, but the council is doing nothing to support local businesses and the landlord isn’t interested.”

He says that since the pandemic, ‘trade has dropped, it’s become harder to find trained staff and with rising costs they ‘simply can’t afford to be here anymore’.

Puccini’s isn’t the only restaurant to close in recent months due to running costs. It is estimated that across Manchester, over 50 restaurants have closed their doors for the last time in 2025.

Michele said his staff are currently on a 3-week break and that the restaurant won’t reopen after this time.

Despite saying trade is dying in Swinton, he’s now helping his wife launch her own coffee shop and wine bar nearby, but will be taking more of a backseat role in supporting her venture.

His restaurant is located underneath the Lancastrian Hall and could’ve posed as an obstruction if any demolition plans were brought forward. With the premises now vacant, there could be renewed calls for the old library to be knocked down.

Salford Council has confirmed there aren’t any immediate plans for this however a vision for the future is in the works.

You can read more about the Swinton Vision on the Salford City Council Website.