Like in all good stories, the past has not always been kind to La Carbonara.

The Swindon Italian restaurant has closed, opened and closed again due to illness and tragedy - and looked set to stay shut for good.

But a band of heroes has gathered to save the restaurant from disappearing completely, each bringing a unique set of skills.

Gianni Pau is already the owner of Swindon’s Fabio’s and Grano Lab and has expanded his empire by becoming the owner of a third Italian.(Image: Newsquest)

He said: “In a mid-life crisis, you either buy a Ferrari or a restaurant. I chose the restaurant.”

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In a surprise comeback, the owner of now-closed Gaetano’s, Carlo Sibilla, will be hosting and managing the day-to-day operations.

His well-liked Victoria Road restaurant closed in April, replaced by Grano Lab, but Carlo could not stay away for long.

And there is a new boy on the block, Nuno Miguel, who has crafted a cocktail menu in his role as bartender.(Image: Newsquest)

Together, the trio had been working hard to get the restaurant open with a new kitchen, flooring, and menu - a mixture of authentic Roman dishes and more familiar favourites.

A menu highlight is the pinsa romana, similar to pizza but lighter and with a base typically made of different ingredients giving it a different texture.(Image: Newsquest)

They were nervous on their first day, October 24, but optimistic. Gianni added: “We had to fix the date, otherwise our opening could have been next month. We had our licenses so I said, let's go boys.”

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Gianna said that behind them was the old owner, Lino Goncalves, who would still be around but “as a friend”.

Its opening hours are Tuesday evening 5.30 - 10, Wednesday to Saturday lunchtime 12 - 3pm and evening 5.30 - 10pm and Sunday lunchtime 12pm till 2.30pm.

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