Restaurant’s year of misery

Lunya Liverpool is looking forward to welcoming back its loyal customers. Below: some of the tempting treats on offer

Fighting through the tears

By TONI BROWN

The restaurant that started last March by celebrating its 10th birthday closed its doors less than a week later as Covid-19 hit the hospitality industry.

One year ago today, Lunya Liverpool sent a tweet to the Prime Minister, to show Boris Johnson what it was like to be a small business owner facing the reality of the immediate loss of business.

The tweet went viral and Alison McGovern, Labour MP for Wirral South, read the letter to Rishi Sunak at the Treasury Select Committee – asking him what he was going to do for small businesses, especially those that could not afford the personal security.

Lunya is now taking a look back at the past year with a message to its loyal customers talking of the struggles and the high points of the last 12 months

At the time, as well as having to close their business, Peter and Elaine Kinsella, co-Owners and founders of Lunya, had a large mortgage on their house to fund the business, Elaine was having final cancer investigations and Peter’s elderly parents were extremely vulnerable.

Writing in the La Lunya newsletter, Peter said: “That first week, I couldn’t stop crying, I was so profoundly worried about the business and Elaine. With every test, they kept ruling thyroid cancer in and it was confirmed at the beginning of April. I’d compose myself for the cameras, but as soon as the question was asked - and everyone did ask it - ‘How are you feeling?’, the tears flowed.

“Our kids had a running joke – how do you make dad cry? Put a camera in front of him! If we had been paid for everyone, we could have halved our debt!”

A year on since restaurants were forced to close, and Lunya thought they may never re-open, they have survived. They are now over £1m in debt, but their Liverpool and Manchester venues are still standing.

Also, Elaine “is a fighter and is progressing well through chemo” and they have both been vaccinated.

Despite the hardships of the last year, Lunya is here to stay and is now much more than just a deli, restaurants and bar.

They offer Zoom-based tasting events, video cook-along classes, cook-at-home meals, deli tray packs and online quizzes. They have also provided more than 6,000 free meals for carers and NHS staff.

Peter said: “We have all been through something very similar and all want to be here, on your high streets to provide the great opportunities for fun and enjoyment that good restaurants are known for.

“As soon as lockdown is over and shielding finishes for us, we’ll be in the restaurants to welcome you with (sanitised) open arms.”

18 “ That first week, I couldn’t stop crying, I was so profoundly worried about the business and Elaine