Key Points
- Popular family-run Italian restaurant Umberto’s, located on High Street, Hornchurch, is officially listed for sale on Zoopla.
- The restaurant has been owned and operated by Enzo and Gina Medaglia since 1993, marking 31 years in business.
- The Zoopla listing, posted by Delaney’s estate agents, values the business at £120,000 with a four-year renewable lease and £20,000 annual rent.
- The restaurant currently opens Wednesday to Saturday evenings and Sunday afternoons, leaving potential for expanded trading hours.
- Enzo Medaglia previously shared that long-term regulars continue visiting the restaurant, some for over three decades.
- The venue, housed in a 15th-century building, offers seating for up to 50 guests, with a central chimney and cosy low ceilings.
- The sale listing highlights “excellent reputation for high-quality food and service”, as per the Zoopla description.
- The Medaglia family has earned a strong local following and widespread recognition for creating a “home-like dining atmosphere.”
Why is Umberto’s restaurant being sold?
According to a recent property listing on Zoopla, Umberto’s, the long-standing Italian restaurant on Hornchurch’s High Street, is now on the market. The listing was uploaded by Delaney’s estate agents, who confirmed that the business and leasehold property are being sold for £120,000, with a passing rent of £20,000 per annum and an approximate four-year renewable lease.
While the listing does not formally specify the reason behind the sale, local media, including the Romford Recorder, recall that owners Enzo and Gina Medaglia celebrated the restaurant’s 31st anniversary in February 2024, suggesting the sale may signify a well-earned transition after decades of service to the Hornchurch community.
As reported by Ellie Hoskins of the Romford Recorder, Enzo and Gina have run the restaurant since it first opened in 1993, building it on traditional Italian hospitality and a menu that blends family recipes with classic dishes like homemade pasta and traditional meatballs.
How long has Umberto’s served the Hornchurch community?
Umberto’s first opened its doors in 1993, under the ownership of Enzo Medaglia. Over the years, the restaurant became a mainstay of Hornchurch’s dining scene, well known for its intimate setting and personalised service.
As reported by the Romford Recorder, Enzo and Gina have maintained not only the quality of their menu but also the unique charm of their 15th-century premises — an historic building that captures the warmth of traditional dining with exposed beams, a signature chimney, and seating for up to 50 guests.
In a February 2024 interview with the Recorder, Enzo Medaglia told journalist Ellie Hoskins that
“some regulars who came when we first opened are still dining with us today — it’s like cooking for family.”
The Medaglias reflected with pride that their restaurant had become more than a business — it was a community hub.
What makes Umberto’s building and setting unique?
The property’s historical significance contributes heavily to its charm and appeal. As described in the Romford Recorder’s February feature, the structure dates back to the 15th century, offering diners a warm, rustic atmosphere with low ceilings that evoke the feeling, as guests often note,
“like sitting in your own front room.”
The space also features a central fireplace and authentic Italian décor, further enhancing its appeal to both loyal locals and new visitors alike.
This combination of history, intimacy, and authentic cuisine has long made Umberto’s stand out among Hornchurch’s restaurant offerings.
What does the Zoopla listing reveal about the business opportunity?
On Zoopla, the restaurant is presented as a well-established opportunity for incoming owners seeking to build upon an existing success story. The listing, attributed to Delaney’s estate agents, praises its “excellent reputation for high-quality food and service,” noting that its limited trading hours could be expanded.
The listing statement reads:
“The current owners only operate Wednesday to Saturday evenings and Sunday afternoons, so an incoming owner has ample opportunity to increase income by opening longer hours.”
This business model offers clear growth potential for a buyer interested in developing the evening and lunch trade further, given the restaurant’s central location and strong reputation.
How has the community responded to the news?
News of the sale has stirred nostalgia and reflection within the Hornchurch community. Many residents have expressed their admiration for the family’s contribution to the local dining culture.
In local Facebook community groups, several comments have noted that Umberto’s has been “a gem of High Street dining” and “a place that always felt like home.” As mentioned in local media coverage, some longtime patrons recall holding family celebrations, anniversaries, and even weddings at the restaurant, underscoring its status as a staple of community life.
What impact might the sale have on Hornchurch’s dining scene?
For decades, Umberto’s has been a key part of Hornchurch’s food landscape, combining authentic Italian flavours with a distinctly homely environment. Its closure or change in ownership could create ripple effects for the High Street’s hospitality scene.
Local business observers comment that the restaurant’s longevity is unusual in an industry often marked by rapid turnover. If a new owner preserves its heritage while modernising operations, Umberto’s could continue as a thriving establishment for another generation.
What have the owners said about the sale?
At the time of publication, Enzo and Gina Medaglia have not provided a formal public statement specifically regarding the sale listing. However, in their previous interview with the Romford Recorder earlier this year, both expressed satisfaction with what they’ve built and gratitude toward their loyal customer base.
“We’ve served generations of families,”
Enzo said at the time.
“You see people who came here as children now bringing their own kids. It’s been a privilege.”
While it’s not yet known whether the Medaglias plan to retire or pursue a new venture, the spirit of family and community that defined Umberto’s will remain a lasting part of its story.
What are the next steps for interested buyers?
Prospective buyers can view full details of the opportunity on Zoopla, under the listing managed by Delaney’s estate agents. The site confirms that the sale includes fixtures, fittings, and goodwill of the business, along with a renewable four-year lease and passing rent of £20,000 per year.
The listing emphasises that because the restaurant currently operates part-time hours, there is substantial room for increased profitability through the extension of service hours and menu options.
What does the sale represent for Hornchurch’s heritage?
Whether or not the restaurant passes into new hands, Enzo and Gina Medaglia’s contribution to Hornchurch’s local heritage is undeniable. Over three decades, Umberto’s has bridged cultural and generational ties—introducing authentic Italian cuisine to the area long before the recent boom in casual dining chains.
From first-generation Italian recipes to a dining room that makes people feel like old friends, Umberto’s story reflects the quiet endurance of family-run businesses in Britain’s local high streets.
