A POPULAR Italian restaurant in Caernarfon is to close its doors by April as the owners call it a day after 20 years.

Villa Marina, on Rhes Segontiwm overlooking the harbour, is to close its doors by April 9 so that the owners can spend more time with family and friends.

In a social media post, they said: “After twenty years of lots of loyal customers, lovely memories, and wonderful staff, it is time for us to focus on family and enjoying life.”

The site will be taken over by Life: Full Colour, who run a small shop and gallery in the town, which has become a popular creative spot in the area.

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The owner told the Chronicle: “Time to move on, there’s no doom and gloom.

“I promised my wife 20 years, 20 years is up, and it’s sold a lot quicker than we thought it was going to sell.”

The decision to shut was met by an outpouring of well wishes and support from residents, comments the owner said made the restaurant “worthwhile”.

They added: “Seeing all those things [public praise] makes it even more worthwhile – without those people we wouldn’t have been here.

“The people of Caernarfon are very loyal, the people of Caernarfon have been very great to us.”