The Grade II-listed Talbot Hotel on Bridge Foot, Belper DE56 2UA, former home of Armando’s Restaurant, a favourite dining spot has been sold.
Elisa Allajbej (Wife of Alisom), Armando Gandola, Alisom Allajbej
Omeeto acted as selling agents for the freeholders of the prominent 4,313 sq ft property, comprising an impressive 70-cover restaurant, and a 7-bedroom en-suite guest house, sitting in a highly visible roadside position at the junction of Ashbourne Road and Belper Lane, just 0.5 miles north of Belper town centre.
The buyer is Alisom Allajbej, a Belper-based family man, entrepreneur and highly experienced restaurateur. Alisom has been in catering over 30 years and owns the popular King Street Fish Bar (kingstchipshop.co.uk).
Alisom plans to reopen The Talbot in June after works to extend the kitchen and renovate the bar and seating areas are completed. The new business will continue the ethos of providing quality home-cooked food but with a strong focus on steak and fish dishes, building on the site’s long-standing reputation.
Armando Gandola ran Armando’s Italian Restaurant at The Talbot for over 27 years after taking over in 1998. This is where he met his partner Caroline and under their stewardship the venue hosted countless special occasions, family celebrations, and built a strong reputation for its warm atmosphere and outstanding fish dishes. It gained wider attention as Frank Lampard’s regular haunt during his time managing Derby County.
The sale marks the end of Armando’s highly successful chapter, following the couple’s retirement in April 2026.
Armando Gandola commented “After 64 years in catering I am looking forward to retiring! And spending more time with my partner, Caroline.
I have had a wonderful career, that started in St Moritz in Switzerland. I had run seven different restaurants before finding my home in Belper. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time here. Belper is a very friendly town. I would like to thank my loyal customer base, many of whom have become friends. Most of all, I want to thank my wonderful partner Caroline, who has been by my side for so many years. As restaurant manager and the welcoming face to all our customers, she brought warmth, professionalism and heart to The Talbot – she truly made the place special.”
Omeeto (www.omeeto.co.uk) Director Chris Wright said: “We are delighted to have acted for Armando and Caroline and are thrilled to have secured a sale to an experienced local operator who knows Belper well. The Talbot is a landmark building with huge potential, and this buyer is perfectly placed to take over, with an exciting plan that shall complement the town’s dining scene.”
Alisom Allajbej commented “Having run the fish and chip shop in Belper for 25 years, I am looking forward to opening a sit-down restaurant. The menu shall provide high quality, home cooked food with a family focus. We are working on a new website that will soon be launched; www.belperrino.com. Further details on the reopening and menu will be announced here in due course. Once we are back open, we look forward to welcoming customers old and new.”
