A pizza restaurant with speakeasy bar is joining Gloucester Food Dock

Gloucester Food Dock, one of the most eagerly anticipated developments in the city, has unveiled the latest name to join its growing line-up of food and drinks businesses.

Wood-fired artisan pizza business, Bella Mia, which has catered for the cast of TV’s Made in Chelsea and the Greek royal family, has confirmed it will be taking up residence at the waterside venue when it opens this summer 2022.

Jamie Di Crescienzo and chef Jake O’Malley have been running the Gloucestershire business from a converted horse box for six years, and were approached by the Food Dock itself to join its project.

Di Crescienzo, who spent some of his childhood in the birthplace of pizza, Naples, said: ‘We were actually approached to consider joining the Food Dock, but were already talking about it ourselves.

‘It’s going to be amazing. It is an incredible location by the waterfront, and so exciting for Gloucester.’

He added: ‘We will be doing everything from margherita and vegan pizzas to olive breads – and introducing platters too. The menu is a work in progress.

‘And we will also be serving cocktails from a speakeasy bar as well.’

Both from Gloucestershire, Di Crescienzo and O’Malley, also a professional chef, will be joining other county food and drinks businesses including Wholly Gelato, Siblings Gin and Strip Steak Bar.

More announcements are anticipated soon, with up to 15 businesses expected to be named by Ladybellegate Estates, the firm behind the Gloucester Food Dock development.