Is this the end of Melbourne’s ‘Little Italy’?

Melbourne’s Lygon St traders are struggling with lockdown restrictions and fear this could be the end of “Little Italy” if urgent financial support isn’t received.

Owner of La Spaghettata Ristorante, Michael Choucair, said the pandemic has taken a massive toll on his almost 50-year-old business. 

“I was forced to close it in September last year because we knew the pandemic was going to take a long time and after 47 years we decided to walk away,” Mr Choucair said. 

“This could be the end of Little Italy.”

Café Notturno’s owner of 20 years, Salvatore Cultrera said Lygon St has been destroyed by the pandemic. 

“A lot of businesses have either closed or will struggle to come back. I’ve been here forever, and I’ve never seen anything like it,” Mr Cultrera said.

“But eventually we will reopen properly and it’s not the end of Little Italy – I’m going to keep fighting on.” 

Mr Cultrera said the council should help Lygon St “urgently” by supporting events such as the Lygon St Festival which always attracted thousands of people. 

A government spokesman said, “In partnership with the City of Melbourne, we have backed Carlton businesses and projects to revitalise Lygon St, and more initiatives are imminent.”

Dean Hurlston, president of Ratepayers Victoria said the council needs to focus on safe business recovery.

“Events, promotions and festivals must be the absolute priority of the council once Covid vaccinations are at acceptable levels,” he said. 

Lord Mayor Sally Capp said: “Lygon St is an iconic destination with a rich migrant history and we are committed to helping the precinct get back on its feet as soon as restrictions allow.”

Irit Jackson, 6^th September 2021