THE faces in the photographs that adorn the walls of Luigi’s café in Abergavenny tell the life-story of its owners Luigi and Jacqueline Basini.

Its traditional décor, menu and much-loved owners are behind its nomination as one of the best place to find top nosh in Abergavenny and has attracted the likes of Celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay, Welsh comedian Owen Money and 60s pop band The Hollies.

Almost 40 years after Mr Basini, 68, founded the business he has taken the difficult decision to sell what has become one of the most popular eaterie’s in town.

Luigi Basini and his wife Jacqueline, 57, said they are saddened to put the thriving business on the market for £749,500 but want to step down ahead of the imminent arrival of their third grandchild and enjoy retirement.

Merthyr-born Mr Basini, who lives on Maesygwartha Road in Gilwern, turned the former gas board showroom into a café back in 1973 and opened a traditional café to much acclaim.

"We gave the place a makeover and opened an old-fashioned café where people could come and enjoy a coffee or meal with friends," said Mr Basini, whose family hail from Bardi, Northern Italy.

Recalling the day they opened, he said: "I remember it vividly."

"All my family came over for the opening which took us by storm," he said.

"Abergavenny was in its hey-day. I was cooking in the kitchen non-stop and remember still cleaning up with my brothers and sisters at 1am that night."

"We’ve loved every minute of it, working long hours-seven days a week and whilst we had the chance to leave Abergavenny we never wanted to," said Mr Basini.

The couple married in 1977 after meeting in the nearby Kings Head Hotel where Jacqueline’s father was the landlord at the time.

"We lived in the flat above the premises but later moved to Gilwern and had two grown up children and now have two grandchildren."

Mr Basini said the business quickly grew leading him to take on more staff.

He said the town has changed dramatically over the years with the arrival of coffee shops but is proud to remain a traditional restaurant serving customers ‘whatever they want’.

"There is still a place for this type of restaurant and it was a conscious decision not to modernise it and keep it unique."

He admits to having more celebrities come through the door than he can remember but says he has many loyal customers who come in on a daily basis, and since he first opened the doors.

He describes it as somewhere in between a café and a restaurant which offers a 'bit of everything'.

The couple say the long hours are taking its toll on them and has led them to put the business on the market with agents Meridian Business Sales Ltd of Bolton for more than £700,000.