New Neapolitan pizzeria set to open at Stoke-on-Trent's Goods Yard
By Nub News guest writer 13th Nov 2026
A Neapolitan pizzeria is set to become the latest addition to Stoke-on-Trent's Goods Yard neighbourhood.
Capital&Centric has announced that SetteBello will open at the Signal Box at the canalside neighbourhood in Stoke, bringing traditional Neapolitan pizza to the city.
Due to open in December, the eatery was founded by Naples-born restaurateur Pepe Possente, who has spent more than 45 years in hospitality.
Pepe Possente said: "I grew up in the 1960s near Naples, with a pizza oven in our back yard. I have such fond memories of my mum making pizza and bread in those ovens.
"Bringing authentic Neapolitan pizza to Stoke feels like the perfect way to reconnect with my roots and share a little of that heritage with the local community.
"Stoke-on-Trent will always hold a special place in my heart. It was here, at La Bella Napoli in Hanley, that Terry and I founded as my first place back in the 1980s. This feels like a very welcome return home.
"I love what Capital&Centric have done with the area, and I believe the whole Goods Yard development is a fantastic addition to Stoke-on-Trent."
After working in some of Europe's leading hotels, Pepe brought his love of Italian food to the UK, opening acclaimed restaurant La Bella Napoli before going on to establish a string of successful restaurants across Staffordshire and Cheshire.
Now retired from the day-to-day restaurant world, Pepe is passing on that experience to his younger associate and long-standing chef Johny.
Splitting his time between Italy and the UK, he hopes to help shape SetteBello as a passion project that mixes the traditions of Naples with a new generation of hospitality in Stoke-on-Trent.
Settebello is the name given to the lucky seven card in the traditional Italian game Scopa, something the team plans to weave into future rewards, offers and promotions.
Anthony Powell, from Capital&Centric, said: "Getting the Signal Box buzzing again was always part of the plan. It's got bags of character and deserved something in there that could really make the most of it.
"SetteBello feels bang on for the space. Pepe and Johny have got a passion for what they do and there's going to be some seriously good pizza.
"Goods Yard is really coming into its own now. People are living here, working here, heading out for food and spending time around the neighbourhood. Seeing another local indie throw open its doors is another big piece of that puzzle."
The new spot is the latest indie operator to make Goods Yard home, joining Goods Yard Tap and Panko & Sushi at the neighbourhood which is also home to 174 design-led rental apartments.
The Signal Box itself is one of the historic buildings given a new lease of life as part of Capital&Centric's transformation of Goods Yard.
Rather than clearing away the site's past, the Manchester-based developer has kept those pieces of history front and centre as the neighbourhood has come to life.
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