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Aberdeen coffee shop owners venturing into catering from Carmine’s restaurant after £115k revamp

The former Italian restaurant has received a new lease of life as a "dark kitchen".

Erin McDonnell and  John Wigglesworth outside the old Carmine's restaurant on Union Terrace. Image: Scott Baxter/DC Thomson
Erin McDonnell and John Wigglesworth outside the old Carmine's restaurant on Union Terrace. Image: Scott Baxter/DC Thomson

When cosy Italian restaurant Carmine’s closed last January, it was the end of an era for Aberdeen.

Jessica and Carmine Scarpellino decided to call it a day after serving generations of diners hearty continental fare for 34 years at the Union Terrace institution.

However, the owners of the Common Sense coffee shop across the road have since spent £115,000 bringing it back to life as the heart of their catering business.

The humble Italian diner served generations of Aberdonians. Image: DC Thomson

It’s now a “dark kitchen”, meaning it sells meals only through delivery and for sale in the adjacent pavilion.

Common Sense owners, Celera, say they opted to transform the unit to cut down on their food miles – and inject life into the struggling city centre.

And the fledgling catering operation is already proving a hit with some high-profile clients.

The unit is conveniently located across from Common Sense in the Union Terrace Gardens paviion at Rosemount. Image: Scott Baxter/DC Thomson

Why turn Carmine’s into Common Sense ‘dark kitchen’?

The food cooked up in the former restaurant is usually for events at Common Sense and corporate catering elsewhere in the centre.

John Wigglesworth, director of Celera, said basing it across from his coffee shop was “common sense”.

Catering organiser Erin McDonnell and John outside the old Carmine’s restaurant on Union Terrace. Image: Scott Baxter/DC Thomson

He added: “Step by step we are introducing businesses that support the city centre.

“We work hard to be able to invest in new ventures that are about the community, people living and working in the city centre.”

After getting the keys, Celera carried out a “complete refurbishment”, creating “several jobs”.

How did Common Sense Catering begin?

John explained that the local business had been trying out catering across 2023, and found it “worked very well”.

He said the location gives them the edge over competitors based outside the city, when most events are “within half a mile” of the kitchen.

Ready for another delivery… Image: Scott Baxter/DC Thomson

John added: “This shows what can be done in the city centre with the right planning, effort and energy.”


Should more businesses be based in Aberdeen city centre? Let us know in our comments section below


Is it a success?

Since launching in recent months, Common Sense Catering has served more than 75 events.

The nearby Fennex software firm and accountants Deloitte have both praised the service.

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