Crowland pizza and pasta takeaway restaurant Giuliano opens with help from family and friends

New owners of a pizza place held a special night for family and friends before reopening for business.

Jason Watson and Daniel D’Angelo have taken the reins of Italian restaurant Giuliano in Crowland after going into catering together.

It was a family affair not only to get the premises refurbished within a week – but also making the pizzas.

Mr Watson, whose grandmother Dawn Ladbrook (84) made her first ever pizza, said: “Thursday was a lot of fun with friends and families over a few glasses of prosecco.

“She (Dawn) is a bit blind now and we made pizzas with her as she wanted to be involved and loves being with the children.

Get the news delivered straight to your inbox every morning - sign up to The Briefing here

“Everyone wanted to make pizza.”

The restaurant was closed for four days to do a refit and spruce the place up once trading started.

Mr Watson said: “In four full days we redeveloped the whole site – it’s been really mental.

“I can't believe it.

“It's crazy - we didn't think we'd be ready in time. “

The 32-seater restaurant was fully booked across the weekend and there have been positive comments shared so far.

Mr Watson said: “We had some great feedback privately and on the Facebook page.

“Everyone was saying how wonderful it looks.

“It’s the little touches such as the olive and lemon trees.

“We have a new bar and with a bigger selection of alcohol and wines we are serving, everyone was really pleased.”

The importance of family support and help has been vital in making their pizza dreams a reality.

Mr Watson, who works full time in Peterborough as well as taking on the restaurant, said: “Daniel has Italian heritage.

“There is a massive Italian community in Peterborough and the restaurant brings the community together.

“This restaurant is definitely for our children – it’s the Italian way – and is always something for them to fall back on.”

Following a busy time preparing the restaurant and working full time Mr Watson managed to spend a day with his children.

He said: “It's been okay fitting it in round my fulltime job.

“Sunday was a nice day with the kids.

“I think it's going to work.”

Takeaways will be available for customers again and the duo will be looking to employ some extra staff.

Mr Watson said: “We are looking to employ a couple of staff in the evenings and at the weekend.

“Thankyou to all the family and friends for all the hard work they have put in over the last week.”

What do you think? Post your comments below.