A SHOP selling authentic Italian pizza, which took over from an ice cream stand, has celebrated six months of business.

Selfie Pizza, at Mill Stream Approach, first opened in January but owner Ciprian Alupoaie, 34, had his heart set on Salisbury long before this.

Mr Alupoaie originally planned to open a static street food van but struggled to find somewhere to set up shop.

Salisbury City Council objected to the business' street trading application for Salisbury Central Car Park at a Planning Committee meeting in November.

Read: Live coverage of the Salisbury City Council planning and development meeting

Councillors were concerned about the safety of customers and passersby, litter and poor lighting and a motion was carried to object to Selfie Pizza's application.

Mr Alupoaie lost his £500 application deposit fee.

Prior to this, Mr Alupoaie applied to trade in Hudson's Field but this was also turned down by Wiltshire Council.

However, he was determined to bring his pizza to Salisbury and decided to sell the trailer and open a shop on the outskirts of the River Park project, next to the Boathouse.

Salisbury Journal: Selfie Pizza in Mill Stream Approach.Selfie Pizza in Mill Stream Approach. (Image: Salisbury Journal)

Mr Alupoaie said: "We wanted to stay selling street food but didn’t want to move the trailer each day. 

"I found this place and took it, renovated it and created the menu we have now."

Selling 21 varieties of pizza, all priced at £10, Mr Alupoaie said his product is the "perfect" size for one person to enjoy.

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Selfie Pizza also sells four different 'bocadillos' which are Canarian-styled sandwiches for £5.

Upon moving to Salisbury after spending more than 10 years in Italy, Mr Alupoaie wanted to find somewhere selling "proper Italian pizza".

He decided to fill this gap himself.

Salisbury Journal: The 'Boscaiola' pizza which has mushrooms, walnuts, Nduja, smoked cheese and parmesan.The 'Boscaiola' pizza which has mushrooms, walnuts, Nduja, smoked cheese and parmesan. (Image: Salisbury Journal)

"I know when you open a new business it takes time for people to know your product and the name," Mr Alupaoie added.

Selfie Pizza also has a store in Tenerife, set up by Mr Alupoaie's friend and mentor Constanti Ailenei 10 years ago, which sells the same products.

Each pizza is made fresh to order and the open layout of the shop allows customers to see their pizza being made.

The ingredients for the pizzas are sourced from an Italian warehouse in London and Mr Alupoaie boasts a "secret" dough that prevents bloating.

In the future, Mr Alupoaie plans to move more centrally into the city but looks forward to the completion of the River Park project as he believes this will boost his footfall.

Selfie Pizza is open from 11.30am until 10pm for takeaway and delivery.