INSPIRED by the success of their first restaurant on the high street, four friends from Bromsgrove have opened a traditional pizzeria in Aston Fields, bringing 10 new jobs to the town.

South Bromsgrove school mates Mark Houghton, 37, and Ben Ascott, 39, and their wives Catherine and Vicky already co-own Mediterranean tapas bar Casa Med, but saw a gap in the market for a wood-fired pizza restaurant and opened FUSO in New Road last month.

Co-director Catherine Houghton, 34, said: “Ben had purchased the property with his father some years ago with the intention of opening an Italian restaurant as that had always been his passion

“We’re local people so our priority was to create an independent restaurant with a neighbourhood feel.

“Mark and I have two kids ourselves so we know what a struggle it is to take the kids out to eat, so we wanted to create somewhere families, friends and couples could go and have a relaxed evening.

“We’ve had brilliant feedback and kids love watching their pizza cooking in the wood-fired ovens.

“There’s nothing like us in the area – we build the fire ourselves every night so we’re unique in our cooking methods.”

FUSO’s 10 new staff members, who are mostly students, all live within walking distance of the restaurant.

The pizzeria’s menu of classic Italian antipasti, pizzas and pastas has already received a five-star rating on Trip Advisor.

Asked if the foursome will be opening any more new restaurants in Bromsgrove, Catherine said: “I think juggling two restaurants and two kids under school-age is enough for us for now, but definitely watch this space.”

To find out more, search FusoBromsgrove on Facebook, or call 01527 877789 to book a table.