Beech St. Pizza Pop Up at Polhill Garden Centre
Limited Saturday Pizza Takeover at Novell’s Restaurant
If you are looking for something different to do this spring and early summer, there is a new reason to visit Polhill Garden Centre. For a limited number of Saturdays, Beech St. Pizza will be taking over pizza orders at Novell’s Restaurant, serving freshly made artisan pizzas between 12pm and 5pm.
This is not an everyday offering and it is not running every weekend. These are select dates only, which makes it well worth planning ahead. Once the dates are gone, so is the pop up, so if you have been meaning to visit Polhill or try something new, this is the perfect opportunity.
When to Visit Beech St Pizza at Polhill
Beech Street Pizza will be in residence at Novell’s Restaurant on a small number of Saturdays across April, May and June.
These include:
- Saturday 11th April
- Saturday 18th April
- Saturday 2nd May
- Saturday 30th May
- Saturday 6th June
- Saturday 20th June
Service runs from 12pm until 5pm, and pizzas can be ordered through the Novell’s app, kiosk or at the restaurant tills.
The first date acts as a launch event, and with dough prepared fresh each day in limited quantities, it is always worth arriving earlier rather than later. Once they sell out, that is it for the day.
A Local Independent Worth Discovering
Beech St. Pizza is a new independent business, and this pop up marks an exciting early stage in their journey. As highlighted in the launch materials, they are calling on the local community to come down, try the pizzas and support a growing venture.
There is something genuinely rewarding about discovering a business at this stage. It is not a chain, not a copy and not mass produced. Everything is made with care and every order helps them take another step forward.
From Back Garden to Pizza Pop Up
The story behind Beech St. Pizza adds even more reason to visit. It all started back in 2017, when founder Stu began experimenting with a wood fired oven in his back garden in Carshalton Beeches. What started as a weekend hobby quickly became something more serious, as he refined his dough, tested different techniques and hosted pizza nights for friends and family.
Over time, that interest developed into a real passion. In summer 2025, after spending 25 years working in the corporate world, Stu made the decision to change direction completely. Inspired by a trip to Naples, widely known as the home of pizza, he stepped away from office life and committed to building something of his own.
After identifying an opportunity within the garden centre setting, he partnered with Polhill Garden Centre to trial the concept. Beech St. Pizza was born, with Stu joined by his long time friend and former bandmate Billy. Together, they have created something that blends great food with personality, energy and a clear passion for what they do.
A Hybrid Pizza Style Worth Trying
One of the most interesting things about Beech St Pizza is the style of pizza they serve. Rather than sticking strictly to one tradition, they have developed a hybrid approach that brings together elements of both New York and Neapolitan pizza.
The dough is made using high quality 00 Caputo flour, creating a base that has structure and bite while still retaining that soft, airy texture you would expect from a more traditional Italian style. It is then topped with their own San Marzano tomato sauce, which provides a rich, balanced flavour that forms the foundation of every pizza.
This combination creates a pizza that feels satisfying without being overly heavy. There is a light crispness to the base, a depth of flavour in the sauce and a clear focus on letting the toppings speak for themselves.
As Josh Novell, Director at Polhill, explains, “What really stood out to us was the balance. You get that proper base with a bit of bite, but it still has that softness and flavour you expect from a traditional Italian pizza. It fits perfectly with what we want to offer here.”
What also sets Beech St Pizza apart is how each pizza is cooked. They will be using Gozney pizza ovens, known for reaching the high temperatures needed to achieve that perfect balance of crisp base and airy crust. It is the same style of oven used by serious pizza makers at home and in professional settings, helping deliver consistent results every time.
At Polhill Garden Centre, we also stock a range of Gozney pizza ovens, so if you try it here and feel inspired to recreate that same style at home, you can explore the options in store or online.
A Menu That Focuses on Quality
The menu has been kept deliberately focused, which often says a lot about the approach behind it. Instead of trying to do everything, Beech St. Pizza has chosen to do a smaller number of pizzas really well.
There are familiar options such as a classic Margherita, made with Fior di latte, Grana Padano and fresh basil, as well as a pepperoni topped with beechwood smoked slices and mozzarella. Alongside these, the signature range brings in more creative combinations, including beetroot and goats cheese with rocket and balsamic, as well as a richer option featuring nduja, ricotta and a hint of lemon zest for balance.
There is also a vegan option that keeps things simple but flavourful, using garlic, oregano, red onion and rocket finished with balsamic glaze. For younger visitors or those wanting something lighter, a smaller Margherita is also available.
Everything is made fresh, and the focus is on good ingredients and balanced flavours rather than overcomplicating things.
Why You Should Not Miss These Dates
There are plenty of places to grab food, but this pop up offers something that feels a bit more special. It is limited, it is local and it brings something new into the Polhill experience.
Because it is only running on selected Saturdays, there is a real sense of occasion around it. It is the kind of thing you plan your visit around rather than stumble across. Whether you are coming to browse the garden centre, meet friends or enjoy a relaxed weekend lunch, it adds something different to the day.
There is also the simple fact that this is a trial period. The success of these dates will play a role in what happens next for Beech St Pizza at Polhill. If you want to see more events like this, turning up and supporting them genuinely makes a difference.
Plan Your Visit
If you are thinking of coming down, it is worth planning ahead. Choose one of the available dates, aim to arrive earlier in the service window and be ready to order through the Novell’s system. You can easily build it into a wider visit, whether that is shopping, exploring or simply enjoying a relaxed afternoon.
Do Not Miss Out
Beech St Pizza at Novell’s Restaurant is only here for a short time, across a handful of Saturdays. It is a chance to try something new, support a local business and enjoy freshly made pizza in a setting that feels relaxed and welcoming.
Make sure you pick a date, bring your appetite and come down to Polhill Garden Centre while you can.