'Much-loved' Blackburn pizza shop reopens with new owners

Pizza Italia, based in Preston Old Road, Blackburn, shut in October when brothers Mario and Antonio Veneziale retired.

They had started the business in December 1985 and had gone on to serve generations of families in the Cherry Tree area and beyond.

The takeaway has now been reopened by new owner Tassadaq Ali who took over the business last year.

He said he was delighted to be bringing back the Pizza Italia and carrying on it's famous name in the town.

Tassadaq said: “It is a much-loved local takeaway with a great following and in the short time we have been open it has been good to see people coming back.

“We have customers coming from Wilpshire and even Chorley who fell in love with the place decades ago.

“The takeaway had a very good customer base.

“One woman came in saying she had been coming for 30 years and never found a better pizza. Others are just glad to have the takeaway back open.

“There are some really good small businesses along this stretch that you won’t find anywhere else in town.”

Pizza Italia takeaway closed for the final time on October 30 last year, and the new owners have revamped the interior in the time being.

Tassadaq has years of experience in the takeaway trade.

He added: “The interior of Pizza Italia has seen a major revamp with new fryers, a new canopy and new menu board.

“We didn’t want to change too much on the menu itself so all the original pizzas have remained the same.

"Pizzas like the salami and pepperoni special are still very popular and will continue to be cooked in the same way.

“We have however added burgers and donners to the menu due to people’s preferences.

“In the future we are hoping to do deliveries. Presently it is pick up only.”