Tony Bonatti, who owns Tonino's on Greenock’s Grey Place, was given planning approval for to revamp the former Domus Interiors shop in April. He has now enlisted the help of former Domus employee and Glasgow School of Art Student Lucia Coggins to draw up plans for the new premises. The venue, which will be called ‘Vino by Tonino’, will have capacity for 40 people and Tony hopes it can launch around Christmas time.
He said: “I think since Covid the evening trade of Kempock Street isn’t what it was, there’s probably other factors like cost of living, but I feel like there’s definitely a bit of a gap in the market. “I’ve got a love of Italian wines and wine in general and also what we’ve been doing down the road in Greenock. “I want to grow Tonino’s, it’s now eight years old and it’s time to expand, but I want to diversify.
“That’s partly because I feel like what we have in Grey Place is quite a magic thing, I don’t think I could just roll that out and repeat it everywhere. “So, I want to do something a bit different, but obviously with a bit of Tonino’s inspiration. “We’ll be serving food here which will have been made on Tonino’s premises, but it’ll be cold food - nibbles, antipasti or meats or cheeses.
“It’s a growth of the business without being a replica.” The local businessman, who has lived in Gourock since 2012, told the Tele he was excited to be moving into the town’s bustling high street. He added: “Kempock Street.
