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Inspirational founder of Lancaster pizza restaurant has died

Wendy Allen-Ellis

Tributes have been paid to the inspiring founder of a long-running pizza restaurant in Lancaster.

Wendy Allen-Ellis founded Pizza Margherita on Moor Lane, which celebrated its 45th anniversary last year.

A post on the Pizza Margherita Lancaster Facebook page, announcing her death, said: "Her iconic style and passion for pizza will live on through the institution that is Pizza Margherita. 

"We will miss her greatly."

A tribute posted on the page said Wendy was "an inspiration", "generous of her time, energy and support to all who worked for her" and "her legacy lives on in her family and the community".

Another described her as "an incredible lady, who inspired generations of young people and created a great space for many a family celebration to take place."

Wendy, the sister of Peter Boizot, founder of Pizza Express, established Pizza Margherita in 1979.

Also known by her middle name of Clementine, she bought and restored the old linoleum warehouse in Moor Lane, opening on December 4.

At that time, pizza was something of an unknown quantity in the UK. But within a year, Pizza Margherita had established a name for itself for its atmosphere and quality food, and that legacy lives on today. 

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