Pizza chain’s growth will see new jobs made with expansion
» A GROWING pizzeria chain will create 10 new jobs with the expansion of its restaurant at the Five Valleys shopping centre in Stroud.
Work will begin on Fat Toni’s Pizzeria’s new unit at the complex next to the Vue cinema this month. When complete it will seat up to 108 diners.
The family-run business has been operating at the complex since 2019 and it has since added three other locations – Quedgeley, Cheltenham and Bishop’s Cleeve.
Five Valleys said the eatery had gone “from strength to strength” and had now signed a 15-year long lease.
The new restaurant will serve sourdough pizzas cooked fresh in house, as well as a range of wines picked to complement the brand’s signature flavours.
Co-owner Darren Orsi said: “Pizza always tastes better when it’s made with fresh produce and is straight out of the oven.
“We want to give our customers a dining experience that matches our food, and to do that we need a contemporary Italian restaurant.”
Jessica Derham, Five Valleys centre manager, added: “We are very proud to have Fat Toni’s as one of our independent businesses. They are a great family business who are full of energy.
“Their latest restaurant will give fresh life to Stroud’s night-time economy, allowing families to experience a true Italian dining experience before seeing the latest blockbuster at Vue Cinema.”
Five Valleys is a shopping centre located on King Street in Stroud town centre has undergone a major programme of redevelopment by South Yorkshire owner and operator Dransfield Properties.
The retail facility, formerly called Merrywalks, has so far seen upgrades to its multi-storey car park, while an indoor market of local artisan food producers - inspired by London’s Borough market - has also been created.
Nine luxury apartments, including a basement flat and a townhouse have also been created in the space above retail and office units.
The project’s next stage of development is under way and includes a £6.5m medical centre and a further 2-bedroom apartment above the shops in the arcade area of the scheme. The scheme’s other business tenants include Halfords, Home Bargains and Wilko.