A NEW business opened its doors in Newport Market on Saturday.

Sicily to Seattle, which has now set up home on the ground floor of the market, specialises in Sicilian and American vegetarian and vegan street food.

Customers will have the choice to eat in or grab a take-away, with dishes such as corn dogs, burgers and calzone on offer.

Business partners Karl Lovesey and Rama Ishaya originally ran a mobile business selling food at events, but thanks to a grant from the Kickstart programme, run jointly by Newport City Council and Tata Steel subsidiary UK Steel Enterprise, they have now made Newport Market their permanent home.

Mr Lovesey said: “It’s amazing that Newport can offer this grant to businesses that are just starting out.

“It has taken a huge financial burden off of us in our start-up phase.

“While our business is purely vegetarian / vegan, we hope to create amazing food that everyone can enjoy.”

Cllr Debbie Wilcox, leader of Newport City Council, said: “It is great to see new businesses opening up in Newport Market and especially exciting to see something different on offer.”

Glyn Thomas, area manager in Wales for UK Steel Enterprise, said: “We are delighted that Sicily to Seattle has taken advantage of the grant.

“This is an innovative and exciting new business which will add an extra dimension to the eating experience that the city centre has to offer.”