CHOCOLATE pizzas will be hitting the streets of Swindon, as a new chocolate shop opens in the town centre.

The Choc Shop is the brain child of Haydon Wick computer programmer and videographer Paul Dunn.

A lifelong chocolate fan, he’ll bring the quirky chocolate pizzas to Swindon when his new shop opens in Theatre Square on Saturday.

The pizzas, made by the Gourmet Chocolate Pizza Company, comprise a round Belgian chocolate base – topped with marshmallows, caramel and chocolate of all varieties.

Galaxy lover Paul, 53, said: “A friend sent me a chocolate pizza for my birthday. Being a chocolate lover, it didn't last long. I thought it would be a good gift for others but found I couldn't buy one in Swindon.”

Paul, who is new to the world of retail, decided to take the plunge and open up his own chocolate shop selling the pizzas.

He took two units with the help of Flashshop UK, an organisation working with Swindon Borough Council, InSwindon and Forward Swindon to get businesses back in to vacant shops in the town centre.

Paul added: "It's a dream come true for a chocolate-lover like me to run a chocolate shop. I promise not to eat everything."

Swindon town centre bosses hope that The Choc Shop will be the first of a wave of independent retailers helping to rejuvenate the town centre.

Di Powell, chief executive of InSwindon, said: “We are all delighted that this is the first signed lease agreement as a direct success for the vacant unit project.

“The team have engaged with a large number of interested parties and we are hopeful that this will result in more independent retailers setting up business in the town centre.”

The Choc Shop opens on Saturday, October 21. For more, visit: www.thechocshop.com.