'DON'T worry Winchester, Tom's Deli isn't going anywhere soon.'

That's the message from Tom Romita whose cafe/restaurant is currently on the market, as reported in the Chronicle.

Tom, 68, one of the best-known traders in the city,  is looking to retire and so the business on St George's Street is up for sale with an asking price of around £100,000.

He opened the business as a newsagent in the late 1980s before gradually converting it into a delicatessen using his family links with the Puglia region in southern Italy.

Previously he had declined to discuss the sale, but in a statement, he said today: "Tom's Deli is a much-loved Italian eatery in the heart and soul of Winchester. After 30 years, owner Tom Romita is now looking to hand the reins over while he looks to retire.

"Tom and his wife Hiromi hope to travel to both of their hometowns: Bisceglie in Puglia and to Japan, where Hiromi hails from.

"Tom's son Yuichi is also studying in Japan to become a master potter so there are many reasons why Tom wants to see more of the world.

"But first, Tom is keen to work with the new owner to ensure a smooth transition and plans to be around for some time.

"The restaurant is well-established and offers plenty of scope to develop the business further - and as the end of the pandemic nears, eating out will be high on many people's list of things to do.

"If you can picture yourself as the proud owner of this Winchester establishment and would like to know more, you can contact acg@andrewgreenwood.com."

The cafe seats 30 inside and the outdoor patio another 50.

It is being offered with a ten-year lease by the city council with an annual lease of around £19,000 a year to be negotiated.