Forbici: New Sheffield city centre pizzeria faces licence hold-up
A new Sheffield city centre pizzeria featuring a fascinating Neapolitan tradition faces a potential licensing hearing over unresolved objections to its plans.
Forbici on Millennium Square in Sheffield city centre, behind the Winter Gardens, is described as a “new premium pizza restaurant concept from the Individual Restaurants Group”.
The company owns Piccolino, which has a restaurant on Millennium Square. The first Forbici restaurant, specialising in Neapolitan pizzas, opened in Manchester city centre last year.
Forbici means scissors in Italian. Pizzas are cut into quarters with scissors to preserve the soft crust and slices are meant to be eaten folded.
A report to Sheffield City Council’s licensing sub-committee said: “The restaurant will place a strong focus on the ‘art’ of pizza making, with the cook line and pizza preparation areas visible directly to customers. “The Forbici concept shall also provide customers with the opportunity to ‘takeaway’ and enjoy at home.
“In addition to the restaurant, a small range of tailored merchandise (pizza flour, serving boards, and other pizza accessories) shall be available for customers to purchase.”
The restaurant originally wanted to open until 1am but has agreed to a 12.30am closing time with alcohol sales finishing at midnight after objections were made by two residents. These have now been withdrawn.
The remaining objections involve the Health Protection Service. They relate to details for the mezzanine floor, which would be used as an overflow seating area.
If the objections remain unresolved, a licensing sub-committee hearing will be held at Sheffield Town Hall next Tuesday (March 10).