The three generations at the heart of family-run Italian

For almost 40 years, Casa Italia has been run by the same family who wanted to bring a taste of Italy to Liverpool.

The restaurant on Stanley Street first opened its doors in 1976 by Giuliano Sherini before the Campolucci-Bordi family took over the helm in 1989.

"Three generations of our family have run the business since then," said Arran Campolucci-Bordi, who followed in his father and grandfather's footsteps and is now the director of the restaurant.

"It's still as busy today as it's ever has been, which is amazing."

This year marks 50 years since Casa Italia first served hearty plates of homemade pizza and pasta to its customers in the heart of the city.

Back then, you could order a margherita pizza for £1.40 and a portion of spaghetti carbonara for £1.45.

"There wasn't many restaurants in the city then so it was kind of like the first time that someone had really brought pizza and pasta to Liverpool," said Arran.

"A lot of the restaurants back in the day, as far as what my Nonno told me, were sort of high-end restaurants for very rich people.

"So this was a brand new concept, which is hard to believe now."

Arran's grandfather Cavaliere Mario Campolucci-Bordi moved from Ostra Vetere in the north east of Italy to Southport when he was 16 years old.

He first worked at The Prince of Wales Hotel and Berni Inn, later running two other Italian restaurants before buying Casa Italia in 1989.

His wealth of knowledge later earned him a knighthood that was granted by the Italian republic for his services towards the catering industry.

"He's extremely inspiring," said Arran.

"He always said 'Treat all employees with the same level of respect no matter their title'.

"This is something I try to do and try to give as much autonomy as possible to make their job as enjoyable as possible."

Arran first started working in the restaurant when he was 12 years old.

From cleaning the dishes to kneading the dough, Arran really got a taste of what it takes to run a restaurant.

"I used to have to come in on a Saturday and we cleaned the bins, cleaned the floor," said the 36-year-old.

"Then when I finished school, I started doing some kitchen porter work, so washing the dishes.

"I've been in the kitchen doing the dough, on the floor, on the bar.

"I've done every job in there since I was a kid."

Arran's father Carlo Campolucci-Bordi took over the business in 2000 before Arran stepped up in 2014.

"It wasn't something I planned to do," said Arran.

"My dad had always said 'I don't want you to because it's an industry that is very, very difficult'.

"It was something that I fell into when he got ill.

"I took over the business at that point and I didn't really know what I was doing. I was 22 at the time."

Over the years, famous faces including Paul McCartney, Liam Gallagher, Kylie Minogue and Robbie Williams have all graced Casa Italia's tables, with rustic gingham table cloths.

While a lot has changed in the hospitality industry in the past 50 years, the ethos of the restaurant remains the same - as have the interiors.

"People come in and say 'I love it here because absolutely nothing's changed'," said Arran.

"Well, in fact pretty much every dish, every drink offering has changed in the last 50 years but as long as the interior doesn't change, people think nothing's changed.

"We're very consistent in what we do and we have a very low turnover of staff.

"Most of our staff members have been here more than 15 years."

But it has not all been plain sailing with Arran counting the coronavirus pandemic and the current challenges in the hospitality industry as some of the most difficult times.

"I think it's something like 90% of restaurants don't even make it past year two, or certainly past five years.

"So to make it 50 years is a massive achievement and especially in this climate."

To celebrate this milestone, the restaurant will serve dishes from the original menu at the same prices for one-day only later this year.

"I'm going to lose a fortune, but I think it's going to be a really nice thing for people to be able to come in and see what it was like 50 years ago."

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