Cheshire village welcomes new eye-catching Italian restaurant

Fire Station Social Cucina opened this weekDianne Bourne Lifestyle Editor and Gary Porter Content Editor for Cheshire

06:00, 14 Jun 2026

New Fire Station Cucina opens in Alderley Edge on the main London Road.(Image: Fire Station Cucina)

A Cheshire village has a new eye-catching arrival – with the bright red doors of new restaurant Fire Station Social Cucina opening. Owners of the new Italian restaurant have taken over the site of the former Italian restaurant Gusto, which had been a landmark site in Alderley Edge for over ten years before its closure last year.

Now, it’s reopened as a new Italian trattoria on Wednesday, June 10 in the upmarket Cheshire village known for being home to footballers and millionaires. The eatery will become the second venue for Project Social Cucina, the specialist restaurant division of Cheshire Pub Company following the launch of the Fire Station Social Cucina in Tarporley.

Owners say guests can expect traditional Neapolitan pizzas, freshly prepared pasta dishes and Italian inspired sharing dishes. The new restaurant has undergone a major transformation to create what bosses describe as a stylish and welcoming destination inspired by the food, culture and social spirit of modern Italy.

Found on the main road through Alderley, the new restaurant can accommodate up to 150 guests and has created around 40 new jobs, reports the MEN. The venue’s upstairs space will also be available for private dining experiences, corporate events, parties and special occasions.

Simon Kalton, CEO of Cheshire Pub Company and Founder of Project Social Cucina, said: “Project Social Cucina was created with a simple ambition: to build hospitality concepts that bring people together through exceptional food, drink and atmosphere. Fire Station Social Cucina is the first major brand developed under that vision and we’re incredibly proud of what it has become.

“The name itself reflects exactly what we wanted to create. Fire represents warmth, energy, passion and the theatre of hospitality. Station is a place where people arrive, meet, connect and spend time together. It’s also a tribute to where the journey began. Our first Fire Station Social Cucina opened in a former fire station in Tarporley and the name has stayed with us as the brand has evolved.

(Image: Fire Station Cucina)

“We wanted to create something that feels authentically Italian in spirit – generous, sociable, vibrant and welcoming – while still being rooted in the communities we serve.” Cheshire Pub Co is known for a number of other businesses in the are, including the Churchill Tree pub at Nether Alderley and The Crown and Conspirator in Bramhall.

Simon added: “Hospitality today is about much more than simply going out for a meal. People are looking for experiences, atmosphere and places where they can spend quality time with family and friends. Fire Station Social Cucina has been built around exactly that idea.

(Image: Fire Station Cucina)

“We’re proud to be investing in Alderley Edge, creating around 40 new jobs and bringing a completely new dining experience to one of the North West’s most exciting hospitality destinations. This is only the beginning for Project Social Cucina. We have ambitious plans for the Fire Station Social Cucina brand and look forward to expanding into new locations in the years ahead.”

Joe Wayper, Operations Manager, added: “We’re incredibly excited to bring Fire Station Social Cucina to Alderley Edge. The response to our Tarporley venue has exceeded all expectations and has shown us there’s a real appetite for a modern Italian dining experience that combines quality food, exceptional hospitality and a strong sense of community.

(Image: Fire Station Cucina)

“Alderley Edge is the perfect location for our next chapter. We’ve invested heavily in creating a restaurant that offers something special, from our pizza theatre and handcrafted menus to our welcoming atmosphere and attentive service.

“Our ambition is to continue growing the Fire Station Social Cucina brand across the region and establish it as one of the most exciting hospitality concepts in the North West.”