Popular Hanley restaurant selling 'Stoke-on-Trent's best pizzas' reveals plans to move

A popular city centre restaurant has revealed plans to move from its current home to new premises just 160 metres away.

La Bella Napoli is currently based in Cheapside, Hanley, but now wants to relocate to nearby Piccadilly, taking over the former Piccadilly Brasserie.

It is one of Stoke-on-Trent's most popular eateries and ranks 79th out of 466 venues in the city.

A scheme submitted to Stoke-on-Trent City Council says owner Marcella Hoxhaj wants to convert the upstairs of the former brasserie in to a first floor function room and second floor accommodation.

The restaurant has not yet confirmed what would happen to its current Cheapside branch.

The current home of La Bella Napoli. (Image: Stoke Sentinel)

In a statement to the city council, La Bella Napoli said: “The location is directly opposite the Regent Theatre giving an opportunity for future growth in the Cultural Quarter.

“The surrounding area is mainly shops and other local businesses with direct links to both bus routes and local taxis available.

“The areas to be changed are the first floor to create a private function room with a waiting area and new toilet area, and the second floor to create living accommodation for a family member to give added security during closed hours.

“The design is to create better dining facilities and amenities for customers and to give an enhanced dining area to enjoy food and drink for general use and before and after theatre shows.”

The Picadilly Brasserie has closed. (Image: Stoke Sentinel)

Traders today welcomed the plans and say they would be pleased to see another empty unit fill in Piccadilly.

Matthew Tunnicliffe, from The Unicorn Inn, said: "The move would be a good thing and it is much better than an empty unit. It will be nice for Piccadilly to have another restaurant and La Bella Napoli are a fairly out of the way where they are now.

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"I think the more units that are filled with eating and drinking establishments the better. It is starting to develop into quite a nice street with a good variety."

What you have to say about La Bella Napoli on TripAdvisor

"Just fabulous, beautiful food, beautiful setting, beautiful people and good parking. Will be going back soon."

"Amazing authentic Italian home-cooked food. Family-run restaurant. Freshly-made pastas pizza, desserts and more. Friendly welcome and attentive service. A great experience convenient too for local theatre and Victoria Hall concert venue offering pre-theatre supper too!"

"Chanced upon this through looking for a restaurant near the Regent and reviews were good. Well, we were not disappointed. Beautifully cooked fresh food, lovely staff and I liked the fact that it hadn't been 'done up'. That said probably needs to do up the loos but it was clean and I certainly wouldn't let it put me off going again - in fact next time I will try this restaurant first before trying any other."

"It’s been a long time since I last came and I am now kicking myself for not coming previously. Absolutely beautiful food, such incredible flavours and incredible waiter service. Just a total hidden gem. Thank you for a wonderful evening."

"Came here for a friend's birthday meal and everybody enjoyed the food, homemade and cooked fresh and properly! Had the margarita pizza which is in my opinion one of the nicest I’ve had, much better than Pizza Express. Would definitely visit again."

Jason Barlow, from Mart's Brewhouse and Tap, said: "It's brilliant news and although La Bella Napoli are already in the area they will bring more variety to Piccadilly and I'm looking forward to it.

"It is always a good thing to get another empty unit filled up and it's good to see Piccadilly growing. It will be nice to see all of the units full because it is a nice street with a good atmosphere."

Richard Amison, owner of Bottlecraft in PIccadilly, added: "Bringing this significant premises promptly back in to use will help to sustain and enhance footfall on Piccadilly, which is to the benefit of all the locally located bars, cafes and restaurants."

City council planners are expected to make a decision on the application in the next few weeks.