THE Manzo Steakeria has opened doors in Bishop Auckland with its owners hoping to be at the head of a renewed revival of the town.

Director Alex Cook, who hails from Stokesley, North Yorkshire, said: "Bishop Auckland is a place that's received an incredible amount of investment in recent years.

“I think it’s about time people took the plunge, because it's a fantastic area. It’s a beautiful town. I just think it needs a little bit of love and we need to bring some more leisure sites to the high street.

The Northern Echo: Alex Cook of Manzo Steakeria Alex Cook of Manzo Steakeria

“Somebody had to make the first move and that somebody was Manzo Steakeria. Hopefully others will follow and we can make Bishop great again - and I think we can.

"There's some fantastic plans by the council and I just think now is the time to give it a go.”

Alex, who runs the restaurant in Bishop Auckland's Newgate Street along with fellow director Stacey Caldwell, has owned restaurants for the last eight years.

The Northern Echo: Manzo Steakeria Manzo Steakeria

His first venture was the Mill pub in Stokesley. Since then he has also opened the Italian restaurant Il Mulino and cocktail bar Piccolo in Stokesley, as well as the Pollo chicken restaurant in Castleford.

Alex said; "The opportunity came about with the Station Hotel. Manzo is a brand which has been in my head for a very long time.

“I've called it a Steakeria, which is with pizza, pasta and steak. In my mind, what’s not to love about pizza, pasta and steak? Tthere is literally something for everybody.

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"My success has come from is attention to detail, value for money, fantastic customer service in great surroundings, and I think we've achieved that Manzo.

“It certainly looks fantastic. The staff are great, the menu is accessible for everyone. It’s at a price point where it doesn't need to be an occasion to visit us.

“They are everyday prices, but with the level of customer service is such that it feels like an occasion where you come and visit.

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“That's been my ethos for literally everything I've done and the industry and I look forward to growing the brand within Bishop Auckland and further afield.

The restaurant has created 15 new jobs. He said: ”We are proud of that. We are looking to develop the brand further - into Durham City and other surrounding County Durham towns.

“I'm certainly a person who likes to push forward and drive myself. We've got other sites that we're looking at to move into off the back of the success of this one.

The Northern Echo:

“We have a fantastic (opening) weekend, which was really beyond any expectations. So if it carries on in this fashion there will be a site in Durham City, Darlington, Teesside and Thirsk."

The chef is Josh Chubsey, who has a wealth of experience. He has worked with the Hilton group, the Ramside group and at a restaurant in Morpeth.

Manzo Steakeria can be contact on 01388 417 571.

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