A Shetland-based pizza business is marking its first year in operation with the opening of a new permanent premises, following support from Business Gateway that has helped it grow from a mobile venture into a thriving community-focused enterprise.

The Nomadic Pizzeria, founded by Nicholas Lundy, began in April 2025 as a mobile Neapolitan-style pizza business, travelling across the islands to host pop-up events in rural community halls.

Nicholas, who is originally from Northern Ireland, launched the venture to meet new people after moving to Shetland, quickly building a loyal following as he brought freshly prepared pizza to communities across the islands.

A family-run business, The Nomadic Pizzeria is supported by Nicholas’ partner, Beth Hawkings, and his son, Ieuan Hawkings. Creating an opportunity for his son to gain experience of a first job was a key motivation behind starting the business, which has since grown into a wider commitment to supporting youth employment across Shetland. The team now includes six employees aged between 14 and 18, many of whom are in their first roles, with the business providing flexible opportunities for young people to develop valuable skills and confidence in the workplace.

Operating on a weekly rota, Nicholas prepares dough and toppings in advance before setting up in local halls, where customers can enjoy pizzas to eat in or take away. In areas where opportunities to gather can be limited, the pop-up model has helped breathe new life into underused community spaces, bringing people together and strengthening local connections.

Over the past year, the business has hosted more than 80 pop-up events, travelled nearly 9,000 miles and served over 6,000 pizzas. The Nomadic Pizzeria has also expanded into corporate catering and weddings, which have proved increasingly popular and have become an important part of its growth.

This success has now led to the opening of a permanent takeaway location in Lerwick, marking a significant milestone and the next phase of growth for the business. With plans to expand the team further, the business is also working towards extending its opening hours to operate Monday to Saturday.

Business Gateway adviser Jeff Gaskell has provided expert one-to-one support throughout Nicholas’ business journey, helping Nicholas establish and grow The Nomadic Pizzeria while preparing for expansion. This has included market research to inform planning, specialist support in digital commerce and copywriting to strengthen the business’s online presence, and advice on recruitment, training and premises, which helped Nicholas establish the new Lerwick location.

Nicholas Lundy, owner of The Nomadic Pizzeria, said:

“What started as a way to meet people and become part of the community has grown into something far bigger than I ever expected. Travelling across Shetland and hosting pop-ups in community halls has been an incredible experience, and seeing people come together over good food has been the most rewarding part."

“Opening our first permanent premises in Lerwick is a huge milestone and something we’ve been working towards over the past year. Business Gateway has been there from the beginning, offering guidance, practical support and helping me plan for the next stage. From building our online presence to finding the right premises, that support has made a real difference.”

Jeff Gaskell, Business Gateway adviser, said:

“Nicholas had a strong idea rooted in community from the outset, and it has been fantastic to see how that has developed over the past year. By combining a flexible business model with a clear understanding of his audience, he has built something that resonates across Shetland."

“Our role has been to support that growth with tailored advice, from planning and digital development to premises and recruitment. The opening of the Lerwick location is a significant step, and I look forward to seeing the business continue to grow while maintaining its strong community focus.”

To find out more about how Business Gateway can help your business, visit here.