Bolton: Fireaway Pizza, Newport Street, closed and for sale

Fireaway Pizza, on Newport Street, has been listed on Daltons Business website by restaurateur Matthew Oliver after he confirmed the branch was shut down in November.

The 34-year-old opened three franchises with the business in Bolton, Bury and Rochdale - with a combined turnover of more than £1million a year.

"Bury and Rochdale both were getting me around £400,000 a year but Bolton was only making me £200,000," the entrepreneur said.

"I don’t think it’s the right area for that brand, in Bolton it seems to be a lot of low priced places that do well and the pizza is more expensive.

"So, Bolton we’ve had to close down because of the lack of sales, Bury is still up for sale and Rochdale has recently sold - but it’s still going to be Fireaway."

Matthew Oliver with mum Amanda Northover at Fireaway Pizza (Image: NQ)

He continued: "There was a loan with that one in Bolton and ridiculous interest with it and it was costing £4,500 a month, which meant the other two were paying for it to stay open."

"I have a very good manager in Bury who I meet up with once a week."

The Ramsbottom man told The Bolton News that in total the three branches see a combined turnover in excess of £1,024,300 annually.

The change comes as Matthew opened up a new restaurant in Westhoughton called Loft 24 - a restaurant and cocktail bar which opened its doors last week.

He added: "It’s just opened and I’m putting my complete focus into that, and we'll serve a range of tapas fusion from all over the world.

"Don’t get me wrong, Freeway Pizza taught me a lot during my time, I didn’t have any experience, but it was always the plan to learn enough and do my own thing."