Rustic Pizza Co signs up to take final space at Forge Island

Independent South Yorkshire restaurant chain, The Rustic Pizza Co, has signed up to take the last remaining space at Forge Island in Rotherham town centre.

The Rustic Pizza Co was founded in 2017 by Doncaster-based husband and wife team Lee and Sian who originally ran a mobile street food business. The duo transformed a passion for pizza into a successful business, delivering their freshly made, wood-fired pizzas across their home city as well as serving up a slice of Italy at events and festivals all over the country.

Forge Island – the place that we’re delivering with Rotherham Council – will be a vibrant, independent foodie destination when it opens in 2024, with something to tickle everyone’s tastebuds. The Rustic Pizza Co joins Portuguese and Southern African eatery, Casa Peri Peri, created by Masterchef star, Bobby Geetha; Estabulo Rodizio / Sakku Samba – a dual-branded concept honouring the Gaucho style of cooking and a fusion of Japanese-Brazilian cuisine, luxury coffee shop Caffé Noor, along with shake and dessert restaurant, Cow & Cream.

These delectable eateries will be joining boutique cinema, The Arc, and Travelodge, to bring a real, family-friendly feel to the town centre.

Raife Gale, senior development manager, said:

Lee Ogley, co-owner of The Rustic Pizza Co said: “Having grown our business across Doncaster over the last five years, we have been looking to venture into a new town or city for a while and Forge Island ticked all the boxes in terms of being a leisure destination with a focus on attracting local, independent businesses. I am really excited to work alongside the other indie restaurants and cafes to create something truly special for the people of Rotherham.”

Rotherham Council’s cabinet member for jobs and the local economy, Cllr Denise Lelliott, said: “The council is very happy to welcome The Rustic Pizza Co to Forge Island. It will be joining a fantastic range of café, restaurant and leisure facilities at the state-of-the-art Forge Island site and will provide families with a whole host of fun activities right in the heart of the town centre. I am sure everyone will be excited to visit The Rustic Pizza Co once it opens next year.”

The new Forge Island is due for completion in 2024 and will be set within an attractive public square with a new pedestrian bridge connecting to the town centre.