OWNERS of a popular Knutsford restaurant have quashed rumours that they are to close and turn into a fish and chip shop.

Barton and Lucy McDonough of Pastiche, in Tatton Street, have been bemused by ongoing rumours that Alderley Edge-based chip shop, Foster’s, will be taking over the premises.

The rumours, spread largely by social media, have worsened since Domino’s announced plans to open its new branch in Toft Road, but Barton insists that the couple have no plans of going anywhere.

“We’ve been hearing these rumours for a while,” he said. “Apparently we are going to be a fish and chip shop. But we’ve been here for 17 years and we aren’t planning on going anywhere.

“Domino’s won’t have any sort of effect on us, we don’t even do deliveries. Most of our custom comes from our £5 pasta and pizza takeaway and that’s what we do so well.

“We are the only take away I know that does pasta.”

Barton told the Guardian that the couple have been inundated with requests to stay open via social media and in person.

He even said that a woman ran up to him in the street and said ‘no, please don’t close’, leaving him confused.

Barton added: “Everyone’s on Facebook saying please don’t go. I don’t even know where the rumours started. We have even been thinking about branching out in the new year because of the fact that we are doing so well.

“All of the pastas, Carbonara, salmon, chorizo, they are all incredibly popular. People have been asking us for recipes because they think we are leaving.”

The Guardian’s social media page saw rumours back in September after announcing Domino’s plans to open.

Ally Barlow wrote: “I love Pastiche pizzas. Someone wrote on here they were closing down soon though, I hope that’s not true.”

Ian Kennerley added: “I’m from Sandbach and I’d travel to Knutsford any day for a pastiche pizza or pasta.”

But Knutsford Bake Club attempted to quieten the rumours, commenting: “Pastiche isn’t closing, that was just a rumour.”