AN Italian restaurant shut down by coronavirus has been overwhelmed by support from the local community.

Il Padrino only opened their big new restaurant in Middlewich five months ago.

Owner Alberto Hallumi decided to launch a new takeaway service to support staff in the kitchen who all have young families.

And the response from residents has taken their breath away as they have been inundated with orders and tremendous feedback.

Mum-of-three Claire Halluni, who runs the Wheelock Street restaurant with her husband, said: "It has been absolutely incredible.The support from the people of Middlewich has been phenomenal helping us through this difficult time.

"We were so devastated when we heard about the closure and so fearful. We only opened five months ago. Our kitchen staff have children and mouths to feed so Alberto wants to support them as much as he can. Luckily, we have been able to continue with the takeaway."

Il Padrino is offering their full restaurant menu as a takeaway service with a 10 per cent discount and customers can collect food from the restaurant.

"People have been ordering a wide range of dishes, pasta, steak and fish" said Claire, who has been moved that many regular customers have tried to re-create the restaurant feel at home.

"It's been amazing," she said. "One group of four people who normally come on a Saturday night all ordered a takeaway and sat and ate it on FaceTime so they still felt as if they were together.

"One mum collected the food and told her family to put on their shoes and coats and go out the front door and back in through the conservatory so they felt as though they were going out for a meal. It was brilliant.

"Great to see that people are having fun."

Every effort is being taken to ensure the safety of staff and the public, she said.

"We have a really big kitchen so work stations are three metres apart. All the food is prepared before we open. Orders are taken in the bar and sent through to the kitchen.Alberto carries the food through from the kitchen and places it on a table so there is no contact."

To order email ilpadrinomiddlewich@gmail.com or call 01606 837888.