Legendary Manchester eatery Sugo Pasta Kitchen has raised enough cash to open a new restaurant in Sale.
The South Italian-style restaurant started a Kickstarter campaign in the hope of raising £85,000 in a month.
The money was raised in eight days.
A post shared to their Instagram read: “Crowdfund for Sale SMASHED in 8 days. Eight f**cking days! WOW.”
Speaking to the Manchester Evening News about the result, Mike De Martiis, co-owner of Sugo, said: “The only thing that’s certain in hospitality today is that Sale wants a Southern Italian pasta kitchen.
“Obviously there’s a lot of chaos in the hospitality industry, mixed messages and the rest of it, just in terms of a bit of light, the only thing that’s certain in hospitality right now is Sale wants a Southern Italian Pasta Kitchen.”
Alongside the announcement that the crowdfunding campaign had been successful, a more heartfelt post was written by the brothers behind Sugo, Mike and Alex De Martiis.
“We can now say with 100% certainty we’re going to open a Southern Italian Pasta Kitchen at Stanley Square in Sale that you can be truly proud of", they wrote.
“Bottom line, none of this is possible without the unwavering borderline militant support we’ve received from YOU guys not only on this Kickstarter but since 2015 when we opened in Alty.
“The crowdfund will remain live until the deadline of 13/1 so there’s still time for folks to redeem rewards and get their name on our founders wall. Plus with all the mixed messages around hospitality and covid right now every penny counts.
“EVERY single backer will hear from us at the end of campaign with info on reward redemption.
“Love, Honour & Appreciation”.
The new location was set to open in 2021 but due to issues with lending money and restrictions caused by Covid, the project had to be halted.
Mike and Alex were inspired to use kickstarter after Elite Bistros, who own Hispi in Didsbury and Haka in the city centre, found success with crowdfunding.
At the time of launching the Kickstarter campaign, Mike said : "We’ve managed to cover and save, like it says on the Kickstarter through blood, sweat and tears, £190k but now we need another 85k to get us over the line."
The crowdfunder, which offered rewards for donations, has now been backed by more than 1,100 people and at the time of writing was more than £2,000 over target.
The kickstarter will continue to accept donations until January 13, meaning that if you want to pledge towards the restaurant, get your name on their founders wall and get your dinner, there is still time to do so.
The most popular reward was a three course lunch or dinner for two for £60, backed by 908 people.
Meanwhile, one patron pledged £5,000 for the ‘private restaurant take-over’, allowing up to 20 guests to enjoy a ‘one-off private event’ in the brand new Sale restaurant.
Sugo Pasta Kitchen was first opened in 2015 in Altrincham, with a second location opening in 2018 in Ancoats.
Sugo Pasta Kitchen is set to open in Sale in 2022.
To donate to the campaign click here or to book at either the Altrincham or Ancoats locations, click here .
