Bold Street is 'changing its name' after new restaurant announcement

Bold Street is famed for its massive selection of international cuisine. There are Mexican, Vietnamese, Turkish and Korean restaurants along with classic takeaways featuring burgers, fish and chips, and everything else you could possibly imagine.

If there's one place in Liverpool to settle a craving it's on Bold Street. Currently, its pizzeria count sits at four - Pizza Punks, Rudy's, American Pizza Slice and Crust. The Maracanã venue departed from the list after rebranding as a sports bar but still offers pizza as one of its primary selling points.

Takeaways including Pronto's also offer a range of delicious pizzas. Next month, Franco Manca, a pizzeria chain with more 70 nationwide locations, will move onto the street. The restaurant moves into the unit previously occupied by Rennies Gallery.

Following the Liverpool ECHO's coverage of the new arrival, one reader, Diogo Silva, joked, "Bold Street is changing its name to Pizza Street!" We decided to go out and gauge what hungry shoppers want to see from Bold Street and whether or not we really need another pizza venue.

Mike Turtle, 32, from Wirral, is thrilled with the idea. He said: "In my opinion, there’s never too many pizza places. There’s no such thing as too much pizza, and in my opinion, I’d like it to be another pizza place. There’s nothing else I would want it to become." Sharing the sentiment, Danielle Ware, 35, from Allerton, said: "I don’t think there are ever enough pizza places, to be honest”

With a mixed view, Alastair Macaulay, 27, from Moss Lea Hill, said: "I am actually buzzing there’s gonna be another pizza place, I’m looking forward to it. But I think I do feel a bit of empathy towards the other pizza companies as there’s obviously gonna be more competition now. As excited as I am for the new pizza place, I don’t think it’s needed. Even though I’m not veggie/vegan myself, I think overall Liverpool is lacking in inclusive restaurants that offer vegetarian and vegan options, so it would probably be best if they did something like that, really.’

Liz Grasselli 55, from Wirral, is against the idea of more pizza shops. She said: "I don’t think there needs to be any more pizza places, I think there’s enough." Similarly, 38-year-old Emma Dyson, from Huyton, said: "I don’t think another pizza place is needed, if anything I’d say what Bold Street is lacking would be more healthier options, that aren’t just strictly plant-based or vegan. Just something in between. And something you can take kids to, that isn’t too fancy where they put a flower on a piece of toast."

Many thought the venue could be used for something else entirely. Aintree's Kelly Mason, 47, said: "I think a nice sophisticated wine bar would be good. I think there’s way too many food places already, there doesn’t need to be another."

Jan Jones wants to see a Chinese restaurant instead. The 56-year-old, from Walton, said: "I think that would do well. I’ve not seen many rounds there so I think that’s where the market would be. There’s no need for another pizza place." Another woman, who preferred to remain anonymous, suggested: “More cocktail bars, I don’t think there’s enough about that are reasonably priced”

Unphased by more great pizza, Kyriakos Zaritis, 28, from Anfield, said: "I mean I don’t have any problem with there being another pizza place, I love pizza. I don’t know what else would be a better option to replace it to be honest, cocktail bar springs to mind, however, I think there’s a lot of them too so I don’t think that’s needed either."

One woman, who preferred to remain anonymous, said: “I’m not a pizza fan so it doesn’t bother me if there’s going to be a new one. I’d probably prefer some sort of tapas bar because I don’t think there’s many around.”