Sardis has closed its doors forever after more than 30 years of trading from a cosy restaurant on Northgate.

• Truffle restaurant close owing £100,000

Sardis proved popular with the England football team in June, 2003, when they paid a visit with manager Sven Goran Eriksson while training at nearby Hurworth before their game against Slovakia in Middlesbrough.

A few months later the England manager was back at the restaurant with his then partner, Nancy Dell'olio. 

Sardis first opened in 1987 and has proved consistently popular throughout the years, regularly attracting rave reviews for its traditional take on Italian cuisine.

Having spent over three decades at the helm of one of the town’s most popular eateries, Sardinian brothers Salvatore and Francesco Obinu have decided to step down and enjoy their retirement.

The pair had reportedly been looking to retire since at least 2012 but were waiting for the right person to come along and step into their shoes.

Romanian chef Ionut Calinoru now has the daunting task of following in their footsteps as he aims to completely transform the restaurant and re-open it as Allegria, an Italian themed venue he hopes will prove as popular as Sardi’s.

Mr Calinoru, who has another branch of Allegria in Newcastle, said refurbishment was currently underway at the restaurant, which is expected to open in around eight weeks.

He said: “The brothers had been looking to retire for a few years – they are very attached to the restaurant so I think it is hard for them but they’re looking forward to seeing it reopen and will be joining us on the opening day.

“We will still offer similar food to Sardi’s, good food and good service is really all we need but there will be a bit more on the menu for children and families.

“I wanted to do this as it’s a new challenge for me, it’s an amazing place but it needs to be brought into the 21st century and I think people will be shocked and pleased when they see it reopen.”