Ask the Boss of Sapori
From time-to-time, we'll be asking the boss of one of our advertisers to answer 10 carefully constructed questions. The aim of this feature is to demonstrate the benefits of doing business and buying at a local level.
We asked Louise Sambiase who runs Sapori Restaurant and The Fish Deli in Lee High Street our ten questions about running her businesses in Lee on Solent. Here’s what she had to say…
1. How long have you been trading in Lee?
Sapori opened in November 2007, so we have just entered the fourth year of trading
2. What do you sell lots of / do?
Most guests within the restaurant dine from the main menu with pizza always being popular, having said that we have a beef sirloin main course which is superb; we have tried to take it off the menu but customers keep asking for it, so it’s is here to stay!
3. Why do people buy from you?
We have set out to create an environment that is comfortable to eat and socialise in; the restaurant is not trying to be too modern or too old fashioned, hopefully getting the balance that makes most guests feel relaxed, that mixed with simple but good food is what most people want when informally dining out.
4. Who is a typical customer?
Over the past few years we have got to know our regulars and have a great rapport with them, they in turn recommend us to their family and friends. I would generalise and say majority of diners come from Lee, Stubbington and the immediate surrounding area.
5. Do you have a favourite customer?
I love meeting and serving customers who want to discover new tastes and aren’t afraid to try something different. In particular guests who ask us to recommend wines to match certain meals, or have been on holiday in Italy and remember a dish that we can re-create for them to bring back memories.
6. Do you have any competitors and who are they?
The nearest Italian restaurant is in Fareham, and they offer quite a different dining style; here in Lee we are limited on restaurants but hopefully this will change one day.
7. In your opinion, is trade good in Lee on Solent?
Lee on Solent has the feel of a village, especially around the High Street where you can source some great quality food. I think as long as the High Street remains with the independent retailers and unique shops trade will continue to flourish for all the businesses
.
8. What’s the best thing about running a business in Lee?
The people of Lee make all the difference; whether it’s queuing in the Co-op and chatting to a regular, or rushing around on a busy Saturday night, the people we have got to know make each day diverse.
9. What are your plans for the future?
We hope to continue making good food and welcoming new customers.
10. From a business perspective, what would you like to see happen in or to Lee on Solent that would benefit the community?
It would be great to finally have the seafront developments finished and this in turn will generate new residents. Hopefully the new businesses that occupy the sites will compliment the existing traders and encourage new shoppers to the area.