A WINCHESTER Greek restaurant has finally reopened, six months on from a sudden closure.

Yiayias Kitchen, in St George's Street, closed before the summer with no explanation. 

It initially opened last December, taking over from Tom’s Deli which occupied the premises for more than 30 years.

After months of speculation, the restaurant has re-opened, with owner Paul Pyrgoudes thanking the public for their patience. 

Mr Pyrgoudes, 44, said: “We had to close due to unreconcilable differences with a former business partner. 

“After that, I had to make a decision to either walk away or try and resurrect it. It was my baby from the beginning. 

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Hampshire Chronicle: Yiayias Kitchen

“Even though we had just a short time in Winchester, it was lovely. I really enjoyed it, I really wanted to spend the summer out on the terrace, but it wasn't to be. It was tough not being here. 

“I can't praise Winchester City Council enough, they're the best council I have ever worked with. 

“Winchester's beautiful, it feels like a village, but it's a city. When I put the post on Facebook about the reopening, we had an amazing response. I have never known a community that has been so patient and so nice.

“We are about family, we really want to support the community. If anyone is struggling to eat, they're more than welcome to drop by. We will go out onto the street with food when it gets cold.”

Mr Pyrgoudes recently applied to the city council to extend the restaurant's opening hours to 3am. It had been due to be discussed by the licensing sub-committee on Wednesday, December 6, but the meeting was cancelled. 

Mr Pyrgoudes said the application was withdrawn. He said: “The late licence was really to explore the takeaway business, to give people the option to eat later in the evening. Now the nightclub (Vodka) has closed, we wouldn't really get many people walking by anyway.”

The Greek kitchen serves food inspired by his grandma, Yiayia, who lived in Famagusta in Cyprus, where he spent his summers growing up.

The restaurant has an extensive menu of Greek flatbread wraps, Cypriot-style kebabs, salads, seafood, platters and desserts.

For more details, visit yiayias.co.uk.