Sealed with a kitsch: Why it could be happy ever after for La Gondola
The well-known Derby restaurant, which closed more than two years ago, is to be relaunched as part of an entertainment venue specialising in themed weddings and civil partnerships.
In 2007, the restaurant, in Osmaston Road, went into voluntary liquidation – despite the attempts of Ramsay to turn its fortunes around on his Kitchen Nightmares programme.
The new chapter in La Gondola's history will begin with a wedding exhibition at the venue on Sunday, November 22, from 11am to 4pm.
People will be able to view its facilities through to December 19.
La Gondola started trading in 1968 and was once a haunt of the rich and famous, attracting visitors such as Brian Clough, politicians Michael Howard and Norman Lamont and entertainers Frankie Vaughan and Larry Grayson.
Owner Daniela Bayfield has been involved with La Gondola since it first began, inheriting shares in the business from her mother.
In 2005 she bought the major shareholding of Bob Giovanelli.
The hotel included an Italian restaurant. But it struggled, which led her to contact Channel Four's Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares.
After the programme was broadcast in early 2006, it appeared that the Ramsay treatment had worked.
But the restaurant fell on hard times again and was eventually put into voluntary liquidation.
Ms Bayfield decided to focus on the hotel side of the business. But soon after, the building was hit by severe flooding and was forced to close.
But the building is now undergoing a major refurbishment to turn it into a unique wedding venue.
Ms Bayfield said: " Gordon's visit to us confirmed in my mind that the restaurant was losing mega-money and could not carry on. It is a tough business and even Gordon himself is starting to feel the pinch with his restaurants.
"The hotel was then hit by the flooding. La Gondola has been the victim of a lot of bad luck in recent years, but I'm determined to make it the leading venue in Derby for weddings.
"We will be offering a bespoke and affordable service. La Gondola is still a very well-known name in Derby and holds a lot of memories for many people. I'm very excited about the future."
Ms Bayfield has recently appointed Natasha McCracken as the venue's marketing director.
She said: "This is a new start for La Gondola. It is a unique building. It has fixtures and fittings which are wonderfully kitsch and we're looking to retain some of those.
"For example, the dining room has some really nice ornate decor and the 20 rooms are all beautifully furnished. The building has got such a lot of character.
"Over the last couple of years there has been a real growth in civil ceremonies – and themed weddings.
"Some people have weddings with a Lord of the Rings, Narnia or Moulin Rouge theme – it's all about fun and that is what La Gondola will be about.
"In terms of 'gay weddings', they are seen by some people as something totally separate to straight weddings.
"But from talking to suppliers in the industry, there is often very little difference in what is required to stage a 'gay wedding' compared to a straight wedding."
From Sunday, November 22, people will be able to visit the venue and place bookings for next year.
Ms McCracken said that as well as weddings, the venue would be available to use for other events, such as music concerts, fashion shows, cabaret and comedy nights.
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