A WELL-KNOWN Bolton town centre Italian restaurant has closed.

Prosecco in Bradshawgate, which was the Tiggis restaurant for 27 years until it closed in 2009, has been emptied of furniture and fittings.

It is unclear if the site has been closed permanently or not.

It is believed to employ 18 staff.

A notice displayed on the door stated simply: “Sorry we are closed today.”

Staff at the nearby La Tasca restaurant said they did not know any details other than Prosecco was shut.

One worker said it had been closed for a few days.

Prosecco was almost empty yesterday apart from some bar fittings, a few stacks of glasses and some letters on top of the bar.

Tables and chairs had been removed, along with light fittings around the bar and from the ceilings, leaving just circular holes.

No-one was at the restaurant to explain the closure and calls and emails from The Bolton News to Prosecco went unanswered.

The firm’s website has a link to the Sanleo Italian restaurant in Bury Road, Rawtenstall, but calls to it were also unanswered. People can still submit an online booking form to the restaurant via its website.

Prosecco was previously Tiggis, which closed its doors in September 2009.

At the time the credit crunch was blamed for closing one of Bolton town centre’s longest established restaurants.

Receivers were called in from the Manchester office of KPMG following a significant drop in customers. Tiggis was the third Mediterranean restaurant opened in the North West by Italian owner Lino Della Pesca, who also had businesses in St Anne’s and Pre ston.

Tiggis built up a loyal clientele with diners including Bolton Wanderers players.