Shambles on Teddington High Street is a restaurant and wine bar which first opened in 1983.

Head chef and co-owner Massimo Langella runs the business alongside his sister Margarita, continuing from their parents, Jackie and Franco Langella.

"It opened in 1983 with my parents," Massimo told Nub News.

"They ran the business predominantly as a wine bar, and then in 2006, me and my sister came into the business and turned it into an Italian restaurant and wine bar."

But the Langella family's roots in Teddington go back to 1973, when Massimo's father opened his first restaurant at the site where Café Benedict's now stands.

"He said when he arrived, the high street was barren," Massimo recalled.

"There were not any trees down the high street, at nighttime the streets would shutter down. He was pulling his hair out and thinking what have I done?"

Fast forward to today, and the high street is bustling with independent shops and new restaurants.

"It's a great area with great people. It's an affluent area, and I have seen a rise of more and more families moving into the area each year," Massimo said.

But running a business in Teddington comes with challenges.

Massimo explains how being just outside of central London can make sourcing ingredients and attracting staff more difficult.

"In Teddington, you do not have as much footfall as central London does – even Richmond has that footfall," he said.

"Because the house prices are high in Teddington, it's also difficult for staff to live in the area."

Shambles on Teddington high street recently won a national award (credit: Esme Agius-Kensell)

He also referenced the impact of recent years as making things tougher.

"Since 2020, and the perfect storm that's happened – that has been the biggest challenge I have seen with increased costs, staffing, and even trying to source ingredients from Italy to keep our authenticity.

"Prices have increased a lot since Brexit and made it more difficult."

Despite these difficulties, Shambles continues to thrive.

"We rely mainly on repeat business. But we get all types, walk-ins and tourists as well," Massimo said.

Recognition came recently in the form of a national honour. Shambles was awarded a Small Award for Best Family Business in the UK, and was invited to the Houses of Parliament to celebrate.

Shambles serves Italian wines alongside its authentic dishes (Credit: Esme Agius-Kensell)

Massimo has some favourite local spots himself.

"I am loving the new Indian across the road, Roots, and all the local little gift shops that we have in the area. My girlfriend uses House Cats a lot," he said.

Looking ahead, the Shambles team hopes to keep doing what they love.

Massimo said: "We are happy keeping going as we are.

"The biggest thing that businesses like ours need now is people to support, shop, eat, and gift local – especially coming up to Christmas."