A popular pizzeria chain is set to open its doors for the first time tomorrow in Oxford.

Located on Summertown’s Banbury Road, British Italian food chain Pizza Express will welcome its first customers on Saturday, July 13.

And to celebrate, Pizza Express will give away 200 free pizzas on a first come, first served basis at its new Summertown restaurant on Friday, July 19.

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Customers who arrive between 12pm and 2pm have a chance to pick up one of the free classic, vegan or gluten-free margherita pizzas on offer.

General Manager Simon Hutton spoke of his excitement to welcome diners into the new restaurant along with his 28 team members.

He said: “Our pizzeria is a stylish new setting for locals to enjoy their Pizza Express favourites, and there’s no better way to celebrate our new opening than by welcoming everyone through our doors with our free pizza giveaway.

“We also recently launched our delicious summer menu, which pairs perfectly with our new restaurant.”

The restaurant recently launched its summer menu including an array of salads, innovative twists on al forno dishes, and a fiery spin on a fan favourite with the return of dynamite dough balls.

And for dessert, the menu features both a Biscoff billionaire sundae and a summer berry and white chocolate sundae.

In addition to iconic favourites and vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options, kids can enjoy three courses of delicious grown-up food with the Piccolo menu, consisting of dough Balls, pizza, pasta or salad, dessert and a ‘bambinoccino’ all for just £7.95.

Inside the restaurant there is unique artwork by Italian interior designer Enzo Apicella, who worked with Pizza Express’ founder, Peter Boizot, to create some of the brand’s iconic aesthetics.

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The star of the interiors is a mural by artist Daniel Ashley, whose work is influenced by street art and urban environments.

The hand-painted mural is inspired by a jungle-style look and feel, complemented by greenery inside the restaurant.

The restaurant will be open 11.30am to 10.30pm Monday to Saturday and 11.30am to 10pm on Sunday.

The chain already has branches in the Golden Cross arcade on Cornmarket Street, and at Oxford motorway services.

There are also Pizza Express restaurants in Abingdon, Bicester, Witney, Wallingford, Thame Banbury and Henley-on-Thames.

Pizza Express has more than 360 restaurants across the UK and Ireland.

Founded in 1965 by Mr Boizot, PizzaExpress opened its first restaurant in London's Wardour Street. 

Inspired by a trip to Italy, he brought back to London a pizza oven from Naples and a chef from Sicily.