Unique food business chooses Newport Market for its first store
Posted on Friday 9th December 2016
Newport City Council leader Councillor Debbie Wilcox and Councillor John Richards at the official opening with Sicily to Seattle business partners Karl Lovesey and Rama Ishaya
The latest business to open its doors in Newport Market has an international feel and promises to tantalise your taste buds.
Sicily to Seattle specialises in Sicilian and American vegetarian/vegan street food and has now set up home on the ground floor of Newport Market.
Customers will have the choice to eat in or grab a take-away, with dishes such as corn dogs, burgers, pasta, calzone and arancini on offer.
Business partners Karl Lovesey and Rama Ishaya originally ran a mobile business selling food at events, but thanks to a grant from the Kickstart programme, run jointly by Newport City Council and Tata Steel subsidiary UK Steel Enterprise, they have now made Newport Market their permanent home.
Karl said: “It's amazing that Newport can offer this grant to businesses that are just starting out. It has taken a huge financial burden off of us in our start-up phase. It has engendered in us a sense of security, which has allowed us to concentrate our efforts on opening and beginning to trade.
“While our business is purely vegetarian/vegan, we hope to appeal not only to veggies and vegans, but to create amazing food that everyone can enjoy. So come on down to Sicily to Seattle in Newport Market for some stunning street food.”
Councillor Debbie Wilcox, Leader of Newport City Council and Councillor John Richards, Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Investment visited Sicily to Seattle on a tour of businesses based in the market and helped mark its official opening.
Councillor Wilcox, said: “It is great to see new businesses opening up in Newport Market and especially exciting to see something different on offer. The range of goods and services in the market is growing and I urge residents and visitors to come in and take a look at what’s on offer.”
Councillor Richards, added: “I am pleased that this company decided to make Newport and the market their home. The start-up grants are making a real difference to new businesses and it is great that we and UK Steel Enterprise have been able to help this exciting business get going.”
Glyn Thomas, Area Manager in Wales for UK Steel Enterprise, said: “We are delighted that Sicily to Seattle has taken advantage of the grant. This is clearly an innovative and exciting new business which will add an extra dimension to the eating experience that the city centre has to offer."
For more information on support for businesses in Newport visit www.newport.gov.uk/business