Redcar Council set record straight on Pacitto’s rumours

Pacitto opened on Redcar seafront in 1924, and is credited with creating the famous Teesside Lemon Top – a standard soft serve ice cream topped with yellow citrus sorbet.

Rumours, which have since been dismissed as false, emerged on social media over the weekend suggesting the shop would have to close one of its seafront trading windows during the busy summer season due to building work next door.

Steve Turner, former Police and Crime Commissioner for the Cleveland force, took to Facebook on Sunday (June 28), claiming: “Due to the work going on next door they have been told they must close their sea front window just as we approach their busiest weeks of the year.”

It sparked concern with some saying it was “out of order” and others suggesting it was “totally disgusting”.

But it has since been confirmed that the shop will not have to close.

A spokesperson for Redcar and Cleveland Council said: “The contractor for the Lookout has no plans to close the Pacitto’s trading window on the Esplanade as part of their works. The window continues to remain open as usual, as it has throughout the works.

“We know Pacitto’s is well loved across the region and recently won a national award for its legendary lemon top.

“We recognise the importance of summer trading and would never ask them to close during this period.

“We spoke with the contractor this morning and received confirmation that the window will continue to remain open at all times. They are currently using cantilever scaffolding specifically to ensure the Pacitto’s window stays accessible and recognise the importance of maintaining this access.

“Any works in the vicinity of the window have been and will continue to be completed out of hours. We are also working to ensure the footpath outside the site is reopened as soon as the works allow.”

Pacitto’s confirmed they have been given reassurances by the council and do not expect the building work to cause any disruption to the business.

Anna Turley, MP for Redcar and Cleveland, took to Facebook to help spread the good news. (Image: Anna Turley)

Anna Turley, Labour MP for Redcar, also took to social media to help set the record straight.

She said: “Pacitto’s is not closing – please share the truth. Unfortunately, yet again Reform UK – Redcar Branch rushed to spread outrage before checking the facts. Pacitto’s is a Redcar institution and, like everyone else, we want to see it continue thriving for generations to come.”

“Our community deserves facts, not fearmongering.”