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Shetland Pizza Business Marks First Year With Permanent Home



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.

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  • Jan 29
  • 4 min read


The UK’s most inspirational summer festival - combining ideas, music, comedy, food, wellness and nature - has announced the first wave of speakers, performers and experiences for its upcoming 13th edition: ALSO26.


Taking place between 10th - 12th July 2026 at Park Farm, Compton Verney, Warwickshire, ALSO is one the country’s most family friendly festivals with activities and experiences for all age groups.


Growing in visitor numbers year on year, the unique festival attracts thousands of visitors across the three days. The theme for the 13th edition is Oh Fortuna, playfully exploring luck and chance - asking how much fortune is already written and how much is down to luck.


Heading up the impressive line-up is writer and BBC Radio 4 presenter, Claudia Hammond who will present the psychological toolkit for anyone feeling overwhelmed, tech commentator Jamie Bartlett will explain how to talk to AI and investigative journalist Oliver Bullough will take a deep dive into the global economy of money laundering.


Curious, clever and creative, ALSO Festival collaborates with celebrated best-selling authors, revolutionary scientists and impassioned experts, allowing ideas to run wild and truly reconnect with nature via a sublime 17th century setting designed by Capability Brown.


Festival goers can lose themselves in talks, tours, workshops, experiences and activities such as: -

  • journey into the world of the Tyrannosaurus rex with Mark P. Witton

  • look at the flavour of quantum physics with Prof. Ben Allanach

  • explore the history of hand reading with award-winning historian Alison Bashford

  • take a glimpse into the divine beauty of space with Prof. David Tong

  • consider how mathematics shapes creativity with Marcus du Sautoy.

  • be part of the Saturday Night Spectacular, exploring the O Fortuna theme with lights, lanterns, and a heavenly headdress masterclass

  • take on friends in the Space Hopper Championships

  • join the ALSO Art Club for a state of flow

  • learn the Charleston with Fiona Ring


Diccon Towns, ALSO Festival CEO and co-founder said;

"ALSO25 throws open its gates this July for visitors to dive in and choose their own adventure. They can journey to the edge of human understanding at a Big SciTech session, get to grips with the inner workings of the human mind at a Psych+ talk, delve into the written word at one of our Great Literary talks, discover their new favourite band at a Future Music set or enhance their Blue Mind with time spent in, on or by the water."

“This is a hand-built, next generation festival like no other in the UK. Who else offers the chance to have your ribs tickled at a super-smart comedy show, get to explore mythological forest installations inspired by Fortuna, the Roman goddess of fate or learn a new skill at a workshop.”


Festival goers can enjoy the genre-defying sounds of Sheep, Dog & Wolf (Daniel McBride), whose avant-pop compositions mix experimentalism, folk and electronica. Tribo will bring their high-energy samba drumming. The return of ALSO’s Future Music Programme will offer the best way to discover up and coming musicians, while exceptional DJs will keep guests dancing from the lakeside Rum Bar to the straw-bale Bunker 54 before closing the weekend with Hoolla Music’s Ecstatic Dance.


Dishing out the laughs will be multi-award-winning political comedian and activist Mark Thomas and lyrical wit from poet Luke Wright in Later Life Letter. Robin Ince returns to the Woods Stage and for a touch of French flair, Marcel Lucont presents his legendary show Cabaret Fantastique and hosts a panel reflecting on 10 Years of Brexit.

ALSO26 delivers its most ambitious wellness programme to date, centred around the all-new lakeside Sanctuary Sessions. Numinity (founded by sisters Melissa and Holly) bring a curated series of transformative experiences designed to explore the festival's theme. There will be Neural Reprogramming Meditation to rewire limiting beliefs, a Manifestation Lab to map out your future, and Fortuitous Breathwork. Guests can also try Rasa Fire Yoga, Scented Yoga or go on a guided Scented Walk.


Revellers can immerse themselves in the Blue Mind theory with the return of the ALSO Sauna - now upgraded with Ice Baths and Cold Plunges; Take to the water for SUP Yoga, enjoy Wild Swimming at its most magical with guided Dusk, Dawn, and Moonlight sessions under the stars.

Families can choose from a Bat Walk in the Far-Out Forest or learn circus skills with Patches Circus School. Award-winning Warwickshire theatre group, Playbox will bring high energy musical theatre workshops and evening storytelling. There will be a Mini Beasties Safari, a Tiny Dancers Family Rave or kids can build a den with ex-Marine Dave Hamblett. And due to popular demand, the Festival Nannies are back to give parents some free time to enjoy themselves.

There is plenty to entice foodies. Syrian-born chef, Imad Alarnab brings his Somerset House-based restaurant Aram to the fields for a special Sunday Long Table Lunch, as well as the Aram by Imad Deli which will be serving up incredible food throughout the weekend. River Cottage is putting on a legendary Woodland Long Table Lunch, Georgia Hearn hosts a demo and tasting with her book The Brunch Club and cooks up a Saturday night Feast of Fortunes and Award-winning chef James Whetlor returns to ALSO to for Friday night’s French Bistro.

Tickets are available visit here.


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