A man who gave up banking for making pizza is enjoying selling slices to Oxford from a shipping container.

Sanal Ramachandran is the general manager at the city branch of Pizza 1889 which is in Templars Square.

The business was founded by husband and wife team Daniel and Lynda Southwell in 2014 and operates out of shipping containers.

Oxford’s store opened in September 2022 but closed in May 2023, staying shut until its grand reopening in April when Mr Ramachandran took the reins.

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Oxford Mail: The pizza's are cooked in a a six-foot stone oven.The pizza's are cooked in a a six-foot stone oven. (Image: Newsquest)

“I am getting a lot of people coming and asking why we were shut but then they are really happy to see we have reopened,” he said.

“Others have told me that they saw the Oxford Mail article and have come and ordered pizza so that has given us a push too.

“Oxford is a beautiful city, I love working here and the people here are so nice.”

The 48-year-old swapped careers from working in finance to pursue his dream of making pizzas.

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“I used to work in a bank before but I saw the artisan pizzas on Pizza 1889’s website and I wanted to join because I love making pizza,” revealed Mr Ramachandran.

“It changed my life as I was unhappy because I was not the type of person who could sit and work in the bank so I was looking for what I wanted to do.

“I started cooking every day at home and researching before doing market stalls in London and collaborating with restaurants around there.

“There is no secret in pizzas because if you're going for a really good pizza, it's basic and simple.”

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Oxford Mail: Pizza 1889 reopened in Oxford earlier this year.Pizza 1889 reopened in Oxford earlier this year. (Image: Newsquest)

Pizza 1889 has attracted many customers since reopening and bosses have explained why the temporary closure was put in place.

A spokesperson for the business said: “We opened not long after the start of the war in Ukraine and food prices on flour and mozzarella soared by 40 per cent.

“Coupled with Brexit, it has been a trying time for the hospitality sector, especially small operators who cannot easily absorb these challenges.

“Having not established inroads in the Oxford market we took a strategic decision to retrench and concentrate on our more established stores.”

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Oxford Mail: The artisan pizza created from scratch each day.The artisan pizza created from scratch each day. (Image: Newsquest)

Offering a menu with traditional Neapolitan-style pizza, the food is handmade onsite each day and cooked in a six-foot stone oven.

“The store has successfully relaunched with a very strong first month and we have a fantastic manager in Sanal,” added the spokesperson.

“The local community has received us very well, appearing pleased we are back trading, leaving glowing reviews and great ratings.

“Ironically the empty container was publicity in itself, drawing attention as to what would happen next. 

"Everyone seemed to know about us from the day we reopened.”

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