Built and opened in 2004 by Chris Leveritt and Richard Tokarczyk, VT has been well received in Leatherhead from the beginning. The menu is extensive and there is a large selection of quality wines, which are much appreciated by the growing number loyal regular customers and as well as diners who happen in while visiting or working in the area.

The name Vecchia Trattoria (pronounced vek’ee uh   trat o ree’ uh) is one that the owner/chef Richard particularly wanted. Vecchia means “old” and Trattoria (which comes from the same root word as tractor) means farmhouse cafe. The dining room decor is of an open area adjacent to a farmhouse (complete with green-shuttered windows with red & white checked curtains and an old door). The ceiling is navy blue dotted with tiny lights which gives the effect of a starry sky. The disabled loo has the look of a separate building with a terra cotta coloured roofing tiles; outside it is a raised area bordered by wrought iron railing which normally holds a large table for 6+ or is the "stage" for performers or the DJ for dances.  Along the wall is a fireplace with the old Vecchia Trattoria sign above the mantle. A black wrought-iron stove with gas fire provides extra warmth and coziness in that area of the room. The atmosphere is also softened by the presence of lots of greenery in the form of trees plants and vines.  Since the first of the year there is a newly set up "Wine Bar" area - a matching leather sofa and chair, and some small round tables normally adorned with newspapers - a place for people to have a coffee and paper in the morning, tea in the afternoon or a drink in the evening. 

Open 7 days a week, VT is a family oriented restaurant with plenty of room for high chairs and prams as well as wheelchairs. It has been used for wedding receptions, wakes, birthdays, karaoke parties, pre and post-theatre groups, and private discos where the whole restaurant has been booked for groups of up to 100.

Valentines, Mothers Day, Easter, Fathers Day, St Georges, Summer Festival, Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas are celebrated in style.  December is devoted to Christmas parties and a splendid New Years Eve party with dinner, games, dancing and welcoming in the New Year with a robust rendition of Auld Lang Syne by all the guests, who have joined hands in a big circle.

VT is an active supporter of the community, with Chris Leveritt serving on the board of the Leatherhead & District Chamber of Commerce and his wife Susan (company secretary, accountant and marketing manager) serving on the Leatherhead Festival Committee which organises activities to fund the Christmas Festival: St George’s Day, the June Duck Race and Halloween.

Origin

Chris and Richard previously worked together in the building business in London, but as Richard is an experienced chef – having opened Italian restaurants for other owners, he and Chris decided to go together to create a restaurant in Surrey.  The premises at 24 High Street Leatherhead had been available for some time, so they set up the limited company, negotiated the lease, built the restaurant from a brick shell, and opened the doors on 2nd June 2004. The rest is history.