October 16, 2018 8.32 am This story is over 66 months old

North Hykeham pizzeria closes after owner jailed for fraud

Staff didn’t manage to turn the business around
Tiamo pizza in The Forum in North Hykeham.

The Tiamo Pizza restaurant in The Forum in North Hykeham has closed just over two months after its owner was jailed for tax fraud.

Fathi Zureiqi, 48, of St Catherines, Lincoln failed to declare £400,000 in takings from his restaurants in North Hykeham and Sleaford, which for now is still operating.

On August 6 he was jailed for 18 months and staff at the North Hykeham restaurant stepped in to help run the business.

But on October 15 the pizzeria posted on its Facebook page an announcement that it has ceased operating.

The post read: “Thank you to all of Tiamo’s friends and family for your love and support over the last few years. We’re sorry this has come to an end but want you all to know that we are very grateful. The restaurant is now closed.”

In the comments, Tiamo North Hykeham also clarified: “Our Sleaford restaurant is still open if anyone would still like the same great Tiamo food and service.”

The court heard in August that Zureiqi opened the Tiamo Pizza restaurant in North Hykeham and immediately got into financial difficulties.

He then opened the Tiamo Italian restaurant in Sleaford in an effort to keep up appearances to keep his wife happy, the court was told.

HMRC inspectors found during a raid in 2015 that he failed to declare £400,000 in takings over three years and his conviction relates to £175,000 tax fraud.