Connie's Pizza is giving away 1,000 free slices on Gardner Street on Thursday

Connie’s Pizza^3,4 opens its second restaurant on Friday 9 October, in the former Gourmet Burger Kitchen at 44-47 Gardner Street in the North Laine. The day before, Thursday 8 October, it will hand out 1,000 free slices from 12pm, first come, first served.

The first Connie’s opened in Peckham. Its founder is Andrea Asciuti, a Naples-born pizzaiolo who also founded 081 Pizzeria. The name comes from his wife, Connie. Brighton is its first site outside London.

The pizza is thin and crisp, modelled on New York-style pizza but made with Italian technique and British produce. The dough is fermented for 36 to 48 hours and baked at 370°C. Pizzas start at £6. Brighton gets one of its own, the Clam Pie, with clams, mozzarella and pecorino, at £12. Vodka Sauce, Double Pepperoni & Honey, Nduja e Stracciatella and Funghi are on the menu too, and beer comes from Unbarred Brewery.

“We’re a small independent operator, so we didn’t want to open somewhere that felt anonymous,” said Asciuti.

The restaurant will have 130 covers inside and out, and Connie’s has signed a 15-year lease, Restaurant Online² reported. Tables for the opening weekend can now be booked.