9 Mill Square

Before it became a restaurant Rojano's was the home of Tonkin Bootmakers. The shoe shop was attached to two separate houses and used to sell hand-sewn sea nailed boots for Padstow's fishermen.

A home in the heart of Padstow

In 1962 the Hawkins family bought 9 Mill Square, living above their two shops: 'Cornish Crafts' and 'The Sweater Shop'. In the 1960s Padstow did not have a harbour wall, so during high tide the water would reach all the way to the front door. The Hawkins would use canoes to get around Padstow.

Rojano's is born

In 1974, local businessman Stan Rojano brought 9 Mill Square and combined the shops to create a restaurant. This marked the beginning of the popular family run Italian eatery whose ethos is still around today. In fact, the Rojano's name lives on as great-niece Jordan Rojano is currently a waitress at the restaurant.

Different owners, same results

In the late 1980s after building up a successful Italian restaurant in the heart of Padstow, Stan Rojano sold the business on to a local lady called Suki. Then in 1992 Roger Rees became the manager at Rojano's before going into partnership with Suki White in 1995 and buying the restaurant outright with his family in 1997. It was around this time that our sous chef Michael and Jenny started working at Rojano's, creating the delicious pizzas he still does today, and Jenny delivering them around Padstow.

DEREK MAPP AND PAUL AINSWORTH BUY ROJANO'S

Already owner and executive chef at Paul Ainsworth at Number 6, Paul and business partner Derek Mapp bought Rojano's and made some subtle changes whilst keeping the ethos that had made the restaurant so popular.

Rojano's in the Square opens after refurbishment

After a top to toe refurbishment, Rojano's reopened with a new Grazing Bar complete with shop, new loos and balcony seating. Immediately behind the restaurant, the gardens were redeveloped to include a new allotment while the front of Rojano's had a facelift and heating and covered seating was improved in the outdoor courtyard.