Janine GriffithsA new independent pizzeria has opened in Micklefield, pledging to donate 10% of every pizza sale to Leeds homelessness charity St George’s Crypt.
LocaLino Pizzeria, which opened on Friday 30 October, is the creation of husband-and-wife team Pasquale Palmisano and Ann Marie Broadhead-Palmisano.
The couple have promised to donate 10% of the selling price of every pizza during their first full year of trading.
The money will support St George’s Crypt, a Leeds charity helping people experiencing homelessness, poverty and hardship.
For Ann Marie, the charity has a special significance. She previously volunteered and served as a trustee at St George’s Crypt, maintaining close ties with the organisation.
She has also supported the charity financially through her own organisation, Link Universal.
Ann Marie said: “St George’s Crypt has been close to my heart for many years. Having volunteered there and served as a trustee, I’ve seen first-hand the extraordinary work they do and the difference they make to people facing incredibly difficult circumstances.”
The couple’s new venture combines their passion for Italian food with a commitment to giving something back to the community.
Ann Marie explained: “That’s where our idea of ethical pizza comes from. By donating 10% of the selling price of every pizza to St George’s Crypt for a full year, we want our customers to know that something as simple as enjoying a delicious pizza can also help someone in need.”
The pizzeria also has a personal story behind its name.
Pasquale was born in Locorotondo, a picturesque hilltop town in Puglia, Southern Italy, where he first met Ann Marie.
The couple named their new business LocaLino in tribute to the town Locorotondo, the town where Pasquale was born and where the couple’s relationship began.
Pasquale brings more than 40 years of culinary experience to the venture, having started his career at just 14.
He has worked in restaurants across Europe, including London’s Cipriani and Zafferano, as well as establishments in Italy and Spain.
He is also a member of Ateneo della Pizza, an Italian school specialising in professional pizza making.
Despite his international experience, the traditional food of his childhood remains his greatest passion.
Pasquale said: “Growing up in Southern Italy, you learn that good food isn’t just about what is on the plate – it’s about family, friends and bringing people together.
“For me, a great pizza starts with good ingredients, knowledge, tradition and, above all, love for what you do. And knowing that every pizza we make will also help St George’s Crypt makes this new chapter even more special.”
The pizzeria celebrated its opening with an evening of pizza tasting and community participation on Friday 30 October.
Guests were invited to sample pizzas inspired by the flavours of Southern Italy and vote for their favourites.
Their choices will help determine which pizzas become permanent additions to the menu, giving customers a say in shaping the new business.
The opening also marked the beginning of the couple’s year-long fundraising commitment to St George’s Crypt.
LocaLino Pizzeria is located at 3 Station Houses, Micklefield, Leeds, LS25 4AA.
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