Sleaford's Little Italy Pizza Company in the finals for British Takeaway Awards for a second year

Following on from their success in 2015 where they were voted the best pizza takeaway in the East Midlands, Sleaford’s The Little Italy Pizza Co is hoping to build on last year’s success and win the coveted award for Britain’s Best Takeaway at the British Takeaway Awards in 2016.

Last month the company was notified that it had been shortlisted for the final and invited customers to vote for them to reach the final.

Now owner james Broderick and his team will be heading to The savoy in London on December 5 to hear if they have won the top prize.

James says: “To come away from the star studded award ceremony at London’s Savoy hotel in 2015 having been voted the best pizza takeaway in the East Midlands was a huge achievement for us, and testament to the hard work put in by the whole team. We want to build on last year’s success, and this year we want to go for the top award and be crowned Britain’s Best Takeaway.”

James said customers have put the town pizzeria firmly on the map: “We are hugely appreciative of how the local community comes together to help out local businesses like ours.”

He added: “We have a mystery shopper visiting us sometime before the finals, and then their report, along with a piece I write about the business, how we work and what we do in the community, is sent to a panel of judges who decide if we win the best in the East Midlands.”

The winners from each region then go through with a chance to win the top award of Britain’s Best Takeaway.

James said: “At the moment, we’re considered one of the top 60 takeaways in Britain, which is a huge achievement in itself, and we’re all so grateful for everyone’s support.”