Frankie and Benny’s: Swindon residents react to closure

Frankie & Benny’s at Greenbridge Retail and Leisure Park permanently shut at the weekend having been a mainstay for years.

The closure followed on from the departure of the Empire Cinema in July which was located next door to the restaurant.

Although Vue is set to take over the cinema in the new year, this development evidently came too late for Frankie & Benny’s.

The nearby Empire Cinema closed in July of this year. (Image: Newsquest)

The news came as a shock to the majority of Swindon and many were sad to see the Italian American chain leave the town.

“We always went for special occasions like Mother’s Day and birthdays, etc so I’m gutted to see it's gone so suddenly,” said Anita Frazer.

“Me and my husband were literally just planning our Christmas date there so I'm going to miss getting my calamari and meatballs.

“Also very sad for the lovely staff we always had and it would have been nice to have a warning so we could have squeezed in one final visit.”

Carla May added: “I agree, I’m gutted.”

Frankie & Benny's in Swindon will not reopen again. (Image: Newsquest)

Others provided a more cynical view of the restaurant’s sudden closure, citing the current economy as a main factor.

“It's like anything else such as pubs, cinemas, restaurants, you have to use it or lose it,” said Tony Stirton.

“In these tough times folk don't have that extra cash to spend on the little luxuries and those industries will suffer.”

Adam Togni added: “I thought this may be the case as we went there quite recently and I did [wonder] where all the decorations which usually adorned the walls went, it was rather depressing.”

Another key theme amongst reactions was the hope that a new restaurant may take Frankie & Benny’s place.

The cinema next door to the restaurant also unexpectedly closed this year. (Image: Newsquest)

“Surprised when a new cinema and bowling set to open in Greenbridge but maybe a new restaurant will open in its place,” said Laura Holland.

The menu signs were taken off the building’s façade on Monday morning after the restaurant’s final weekend in operation.

An employee outside the establishment, who wished to remain anonymous, told the Adver: "We're now permanently closed from today.

“I know it all seems a bit sudden, we only found out about a month ago and we've been told that the agency has sold it or something like that.

"Apparently the place next door might be looking at buying it so it could reopen next year as something similar to Frankie and Benny's but that's all rumour right now."