AN INDEPENDENT pizzeria is hoping to bring new nightlife to a street with a reputation for drinking and late-night revelry.

Nuposto is due to open in West Street, Brighton, ahead of the May Bank Holiday weekend.

Run by Helen Springer and Pasquale Biscardi, the 150-cover restaurant has been two years in the planning, and takes over a refurbished site on the corner of the Travelodge.

Ms Springer said: “West Street does have that reputation on a Friday and Saturday night, but I think it’s coming up.

“Bit by bit, people are spreading out from The Lanes area and looking for new venues.

“West Street has a lot of footfall and good neighbours. The restaurant across the road has no problems. If you impose the way you would like a place to be, then that’s how it will be.”

The pizzeria hopes to carve out a niche between Ms Springer’s homes of Naples and Brighton and create something that “doesn’t taste like anything you would have in Brighton”.

She explained: “Neapolitan pizza doesn’t really taste like any other pizza and I think the people here appreciate good food and new ideas.”

The Stefano Ferrara ovens shipped from Naples reach 400C and can cook a pizza in just a minute while the surfaces in the kitchen are set with mortar made using volcanic ash from Mount Vesuvius.

The chefs come from Naples and will cook before diners in an open kitchen.

The name Nuposto is derived from the Italian term “nuovo posto”, which means new place.

Ms Springer added: “We wanted a name that if you googled it no one else would have it.

“You would be surprised how difficult it can be to think up an original name.

“Italians almost understand it anyway – Neapolitans sometimes shorten words and chop them in half.”

The outlet, let via Fleurets, will also have graffiti on the restaurant walls painted by Brighton artist Aroe, and “sparkling Italian wine” on tap (an EU rule means the restaurant cannot call it Prosecco).

Ms Springer added: “Brighton is the new London – it’s a great place to live and there are more and more people coming down all the time.”

Nuposto launches on April 29.

Visit nuposto.com for details.