A Blackpool pizza restaurant has picked up a top customers' award

A Blackpool town centre pizzeria has won a top international award from Tripadvisor after getting high praise from its customers.
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Stefani’s in Cedar Square has been named a 2020 Travellers’ Choice winner by the review website.

The honour has been handed out because the popular restaurant has consistently received rave ratings from diners – putting it in the top 10 per cent of hospitality businesses around the world.

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Owner Nico Stefani said: “I was amazed when they said that only 10 per cent of restaurants worldwide get this award.

Stefani's Pizzeria has won a Tripadvisor award.  Pictured is Jordan Del PianoStefani's Pizzeria has won a Tripadvisor award.  Pictured is Jordan Del Piano
Stefani's Pizzeria has won a Tripadvisor award. Pictured is Jordan Del Piano

“They base it on customers’ experience.

“It’s not just about getting five star reviews, it’s about how the customers word their reviews and about service and the products.

“Since we have been back from Covid I cannot count the number of five star reviews.

“It seems to be more tourists; they tend to use Tripadvisor more than locals.

Left  to right, Jake Huxley, Nico Stefani, Jordan Del Piano and Dillon Conlon celebrate the awardLeft  to right, Jake Huxley, Nico Stefani, Jordan Del Piano and Dillon Conlon celebrate the award
Left to right, Jake Huxley, Nico Stefani, Jordan Del Piano and Dillon Conlon celebrate the award
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“I just want to thank all the staff and the customers for their support.

“I don’t ever ask anyone to give us a review.

“I hate it when other places ask you to do that, so this is off their own bat.

“We get loads of people coming in because they have seen reviews online.”

Nico Stefani and Dillon Conlon hard at workNico Stefani and Dillon Conlon hard at work
Nico Stefani and Dillon Conlon hard at work

Nico said business has ramped up since lockdown was eased.

“It has been tiring to be honest,” he said.

“But it has been great so I can’t complain at all.

“I just wish I had a bigger premises.

“The number of people we have to turn away is a shame, but on bad weather days you really notice the drop in a seaside town when people don’t want to come out.

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“What I have noticed is that we have been seeing fewer locals, fewer familiar faces.

“It may be because the visitors are booking up the tables, but I would love to see more locals.”

Niko said that the trend in recent weeks has been for people to eat inside the restaurant following the Eat Out to Help Out Scheme.

He said: “Takeaway has never particularly worked for us – I am not sure why.

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People say our pizzas fresh out the oven are amazing, but people seem to prefer the restaurant and I have told the staff to concentrate more on that side.

“I am scared that if we are to see an increase in the lockdown, I will have to close the restaurant and promote the takeaway side of the business.

“But if there is another full lockdown I think that will be a massive set-back for nearly everyone in Blackpool.”

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