Crisis-struck pizzeria chain to close outlet permanently

PIZZA Express has announced plans to permanently close its Southport restaurant as the chain battles a financial crisis.

The Lord Street restaurant is among 73 which have been proposed for closure in a major restructuring plan which will affect the jobs of some 1,100 staff.

UK & Ireland managing director Zoe Bowley said the impact of the coronavirus pandemic had led to some “incredibly tough decisions to safeguard Pizza Express for the long term” and the chain has formally launched a proposal to reduce its restaurant estate and rental cost base through a Company Voluntary Arrangement (CVA).

The Formby branch is also earmarked for closure, meaning that the Pizza Express lovers in the town would have to travel to Liverpool for the nearest restaurant.

Ms Bowley said: “Today we have confirmed that 73 of our pizzerias are proposed to close permanently.

“In most cases, there is another Pizza Express nearby, either already open or reopening soon, to welcome our customers.

“Our focus is on our people whose jobs are impacted and we will be doing everything we can either to redeploy them or to support them in finding roles elsewhere.

“Hard as this process is, it will protect the jobs of over 9,000 of our colleagues and provide a strong footing for Pizza Express to meet future challenges and opportunities.”

The company said it would seek approval of the CVA proposals from its creditors by way of a virtual meeting on September 4.