IT is all change on the eating out front in Devizes with several restaurants moving and changing hands.

In May last year much loved baker and chef Giovanni Campanella, who ran Dolciplani coffee shop, lost his battle with cancer.

But now his friends and former employees Massimo and Shanai Pipitone have taken over the business in White Swan Yard and it opened on Monday as a Sicilian bistro.

Massimo’s Cafe is above Massimo’s Italian restaurant, which was also originally opened by Giovanni.

On Sunday Massimo and Shanai held an opening party to show off the new contemporary decor and beautiful Sicilian savoury snacks and gateaus.

Shanai said: “We just hope everyone loves it. It is a new concept for Devizes. In Sicily everyone pops into their local cafe for a coffee and a pastry. We hope that might catch on here as well.”

Dolcipani continued to trade after Giovanni’s death under the leadership of his uncle Enzo and partner Danni but closed when coronavirus struck.

Now Massimo and Shanai hope to carry on his tradition of a warm Sicilian welcome.

The couple, who have a young daughter, took over the basement Italian restaurant, formerly known as Franco’s, in February 2018.

At the time Shanai said: “This is something that we have both always wanted to do. It has always been a dream. I really believe in Massimo as a chef and I am backing him al the way.

“I have a degree in hotel and tourism from my home country of Turkey.”

A new Italian restaurant Aroma is also about to open in Southbroom Road, Devizes after Chines restaurant Zumi moved to the former premises of Edwin Giddings in St John’s Road.

Zumi should have opened under the new name of Mayflower in March but had to wait until after lockdown.

Indian Restaurant Taste of Bengal in New Park Street has been rebranded as Rain Tree and has a new chef.