Key Points
- Ricordi Italian Restaurant in Horwich says trade has picked up again after an electricity dispute forced it to close temporarily.
- The closure followed a problem linked to the transfer of its electricity account, which left the restaurant without power.
- Owner Giancarlo Bucale said more than £5,000 worth of stock had to be thrown away during the outage.
- The Bolton News reported that E.ON Next restored power after its intervention, allowing the restaurant to reopen.
- Mr Bucale said customers had shown “amazing” support since the restaurant reopened on Monday, July 6.
- He also said he intends to pursue legal action over the losses caused by the power cut.
- Ricordi is now open every day except Sunday from 5pm to 10pm and also offers takeaway service.
Horwich (Bolton Today) July 8, 2026 - Ricordi Italian Restaurant says it is back on its feet after an electricity dispute forced it to shut and throw away thousands of pounds’ worth of food. The Horwich business, on Chorley New Road, says it has been “going from strength to strength” since reopening, with owner Giancarlo Bucale crediting loyal customers for helping the restaurant recover.
What happened at Ricordi?
As reported by The Bolton News, the restaurant was left without power after an issue surrounding the transfer of its electricity account. That power cut meant bookings had to be cancelled and stock valued at more than £5,000 was discarded. The paper said E.ON Next restored the electricity following its intervention, which allowed the business to resume trading. The sequence left Ricordi dealing not only with immediate disruption, but also with the longer-term financial consequences of wasted food and lost custom.
How has the restaurant recovered?
Mr Bucale, speaking to The Bolton News, said reopening on Monday, July 6 had been a welcome moment for the business. He said:
“We managed to reopen on the Monday and it was great to welcome everyone back”.
He also said:
“The support we’ve had from our customers has been amazing”.
According to the report, the restaurant has since seen strong demand, with Friday and Saturday evenings often fully booked.
What losses did the closure cause?
The restaurant owner said the interruption caused major damage to the business, both financially and operationally. The report says more than £5,000 worth of stock had to be thrown away because it could not be kept safely without electricity. That loss came on top of the disruption to service and the need to cancel bookings. Mr Bucale told The Bolton News that the business is now going through the legal process over the losses it suffered.
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Why does the support matter?
The reaction from customers appears to have played a major role in helping Ricordi bounce back. Mr Bucale said the support had been “amazing”, suggesting the restaurant’s recovery has been helped by local loyalty as much as by the restoration of power. The report also says the venue has become busy again, with regular evening trade and takeaway orders. For an independent restaurant, that kind of customer backing can be the difference between a temporary setback and a longer struggle.
What did The Bolton News report?
The Bolton News said it had previously covered the power problem and the impact it had on Ricordi. In its latest report, the paper explained that the electricity issue stemmed from the transfer of the account and that E.ON Next later restored the power. The article also included direct comments from Mr Bucale about the reopening, the customer response and the planned legal action. That gives the story both a business angle and a local community angle, since the restaurant’s recovery is tied to support from its customer base.
What is the restaurant’s current position?
Ricordi is now open every day except Sunday from 5pm until 10pm, and it also operates a takeaway service. The report says the restaurant is continuing to attract strong evening trade, especially on Fridays and Saturdays. That suggests the business is regaining momentum after the disruption. Even so, Mr Bucale’s comments make clear the financial damage has not been forgotten, and the legal dispute remains part of the story.
Why is this story significant locally?
This is a straightforward local business story, but it also reflects how quickly an energy problem can affect a hospitality venue. For a restaurant, a power cut can mean lost bookings, spoiled stock and immediate cashflow pressure. The Horwich case also shows how community support can help a small business recover after a setback. In that sense, Ricordi’s reopening is not just about one restaurant getting back to work; it is also about resilience in a local high street business.