A CHERISHED Greenock town centre dining institution which has been in the same family for nearly 100 years is up for sale.

Arlecchino - the much-loved Italian restaurant and takeaway on West Blackhall Street - is bringing down the shutters on an era just one year shy of a century.

The history of the business itself is as rich and colourful as the delicious food and wine it has served for generations.

The family's connection with Scotland actually goes all the way back to 1908 when a young Nonno Mazzoni travelled from his home village of Castiglione in north west Italy as a 14-year-old to find work making ice cream in Cowdenbeath.

After returning to serve his country in the First World War, he settled in Greenock with his wife Eda, opening Mazzoni's Cafe elsewhere in the town before moving to where the business is now situated in 1924.

It changed its name to Arlecchino - named after an Italian 16th century comic character, and meaning Harlequin - in 1966.

The business has been passed down through four generations and is now run by brothers Giovanni and Michele.

It was placed on the market before the outbreak of coronavirus which is now affecting every aspect of our daily lives.

The freehold asking price for the 2,218 square foot premises is £375,000.

An online advertisement on the Businessforsale.com website states that the premises has an annual turnover of £579,899 with a net profit of £143,000.

The advert states: "The business is therefore extremely long established and is something of an institution within the town.

"The business benefits from a loyal and regular clientele, predominantly from Greenock and the surrounding areas, although does also attract people from further afield, as well as benefitting from passers-by and shoppers in the area."

It adds: "Arlecchino enjoys a strong reputation for its food and service, and trades as a traditional Italian restaurant offering an extensive menu with a tremendous selection of pizzas, pastas, meats, fish, burgers and salads, as well as offering a good vegetarian/vegan menu and lighter brunch and lunch offerings.

"It is felt that the sale represents a tremendous opportunity for a new owner operator to take on this much loved and extremely well performing business which still offers areas of growth."