Beloved Liverpool gallery and shop Rennie's to become new pizza restaurant

A much-loved independent shop and gallery which closed in 2022 is set to become a pizza restaurant.

Founded by Ronald and Jean Rennie in 1965, Rennie’s Gallery was placed in several locations in Merseyside. The Bold Street branch opened in 1991 and became the family’s final store, and a real local gem. Sadly their son Duncan - who took over the family business - made the decision to shut up shop for good in August 2022.

Duncan said the closure was due to a number of factors including ‘the escalated move to online buying’ but said the decision to fully pedestrianise Bold Street was ‘the final straw’ and ‘a huge wrench’ after 42 years in business.

Since the closure, the site has remained vacant with Rennie’s branding still adorning the building. However, advertisements for Franco Manca - a chain with pizzerias all over the country - can now be seen outside.

According to Franco Manca’s website, the ‘sourdough pizza pioneers’ are coming to Bold Street this September and will serve up ‘fresh, handmade’ pizzas. The restaurant - founded by Giuseppe Mascoli - are also giving away 1,000 free pizzas to those who sign up for newsletters.

The menu features a selection of seasonal pizzas, and sides and snacks including smoked almonds and Nocellara green olives, as well as various sharing platters. The first Franco Manca restaurant launched in Brixton in 2008 and the now has more than 70 sites across the country.