NEW owners are taking on the challenge of rebuilding the reputation of one of York’s most prominent restaurants.

Decio Franca, an executive chef who has owned a number of restaurants in the south of England, has taken over the lease at La Vecchia Scuola at 62 Low Petergate.

The opportunity to take over the Italian restaurant, which has a conservatory and unique views of York Minster, became available after its previous manager, Vincenzo Fuccio, was banned indefinitely from managing a food business following health and safety breaches.

New owners Mr Franca and his wife, Gabriella, have moved to York with their two-year-old son to transform the business.

Mr Franca saw its potential when he ate in the restaurant during a visit to York.

Mr Franca said the 300-year-old former school building was one of the city’s best restaurant locations and he hoped to build up its reputation for fine dining, adding a new a la carte menu of fresh contemporary Italian cooking with locally-sourced and hand-prepared food.

Since February, £60,000 has been invested in the business, and renovation continues with work taking place on the entrance, floors and bars. The restaurant will be redecorated and furniture will be replaced.

After much deliberation over the challenges of keeping the name, La Vecchia Scuola – which means the old school – and the reputation it has recently lost, Mr Franca said he felt passionately they should stick to its roots.

The Grade II-listed building was home to the York College For Girls from 1908 to 1997, educating some of the most successful women in Britain, including internationally renowned mezzo soprano Dame Janet Baker. The restaurant’s reception and waiting area features school memorabilia including photos, records, cuttings and books written by former pupils.

Mr Franca said: “York is an amazing historic city with world-class attractions and one of the top ten European destinations for tourists. I am passionate about people enjoying amazing food too, and want both visitors to York, and very importantly the local residents, to enjoy fine Italian cuisine.

“We are not a chain and so we can offer a wide variety on the menu that is sourced locally and prepared by us on site. We can focus on the quality of the food whilst getting to know our customers intimately,” he said.