Pizza Express to close almost 70 restaurants putting 1,100 jobs at risk

The news follows the extended closure of restaurants during the coronavirus pandemic

Pizza Express could close about 67 of its UK restaurants putting up to 1,100 jobs at risk.

The chain said it is planning to launch a company voluntary arrangement in the “near future” in a bid to push down its rents.

This comes amid a “significantly more challenging environment” following the coronavirus pandemic and UK-wide lockdown, which closed restaurants for weeks.

The business stressed that the final outcome of the restructuring has “yet to be decided”, but it may end in the closure of about 15 per cent of its 449 restaurants in the UK.

The restaurant chain also said it had put itself up for sale after bringing in experts – the sale will be run independently to the closure plans.

Zoe Bowley, the firm’s UK and Ireland managing director, said: “While the financial restructuring is a positive step forward, at the same time we have had to make some really tough decisions.

“As a result, it is with a heavy heart that we expect to permanently close a proportion of our restaurants, losing valued team members in the process.

“This is incredibly sad for our Pizza Express family and we will do everything we can to support our teams at this time.

“As we continue to reopen our restaurants for dine-in and delivery, we will successfully navigate the extended period of social distancing expected in the months ahead and, in so doing, protect 9,000 jobs.

“The initial signs from the restaurants that have been reopened have been very encouraging and we hope that our loyal customers continue to support us now more than ever.”

The nationwide dining chain closed all restaurants following the 23 March government lockdown. It recently reopened a number of restaurants for delivery and takeaway service.

In November 2019, Pizza Express in Woking had to suspend Tripadvisor reviews after users flooded it with joke reviews following Prince Andrew’s BBC Newsnight appearance.

During the interview, the royal denied allegations he was with 17-year-old Virginia Roberts, explaining he was at the Woking chain at the time of the alleged encounter, at a birthday party with his daughter Princess Beatrice.