A pizzeria in south-west Sheffield has reached its 1,000-name goal in a petition to keep decking in front of its premises – after the city council demanded its removal.

The petition was started a month ago to keep the structure at Pizz-Elia in Ringinglow Road, Bents Green and was successful in gaining 1,000 signatures this week.

Owner Elia Saviatesta, said: “I have been totally overwhelmed with the support of not only the Bents Green community but also from further afield.

“I cannot thank them enough for uplifting me during this difficult time.”

The decking was built last July, with the landlord’s permission, on the private outdoor space in the front of the shop.

Mr Saviatesta said: “I am really pleased to have been able to bring some more life in to the Bents Green community and I love chatting with my customers – I have quite a few regulars now!”

Due to the uneven ground, benches on the pavement would not have been safe and therefore the decking was seen as essential in enabling customers to sit outdoors.

Mr Saviatesta, said: “I thought it was a logical step to utilise the space outside to increase the seating options and for my customer to be able to enjoy their pizza in the coming sunshine.”

However, the local council has ordered its removal as planning permission was not obtained during the building process, despite the fact it is a removal structure and not anchored to the ground.

Mr Saviatesta said that the letter from the council said it would never approve any works in front of the restaurant “due to the visual impact on the street scene”.

Pizz-Elia is not the only shop in Bents Green with outdoor seating, other shops also have benches and tables outside for their customers.

Mr Saviatesta said: “The decking has a significant impact on my sales and without it, it would be easy to miss Pizz-Elia.”

After working in other pizza shops for more than nine years, Mr Saviatesta had always planned to open his own pizza shop, and decided to take the plunge last year.

The shop serves Neapolitan-style pizzas in the evenings, and paninis at lunch time, as well as offering desserts such as home-made cheesecakes.

If you are interested in signing this petition, you can find out more here .