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HomeUK NewsPizzaExpress looks at closing 67 restaurants, putting 1,100 jobs at risk

PizzaExpress looks at closing 67 restaurants, putting 1,100 jobs at risk

The chain, which is also up for sale, blamed the move on the “significantly more challenging environment” caused by the pandemic

PizzaExpress has said that it could close around 67 of its restaurants throughout the UK, putting up to 1,100 jobs at risk.

The chain, which also revealed it has put itself up for sale, blamed the move on the “significantly more challenging environment” caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

This comes after Hays Travel has announced that it will cut up to 878 jobs from their workforce of 4,500 employees, as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have devastating impacts on the travel industry.

Highlighting the “current unprecedented backdrop” of COVID-19, bosses believe reducing the size of the business will help protect the majority of staff.

The threat of closures, first revealed last month, is the latest sign of the pain being felt by the hospitality industry, which has been hard-hit by the public health crisis.

The company said it plans to launch a company voluntary arrangement (CVA) restructuring deal in the near future, which could lead to the closure of 15% of its 449 UK restaurants, threatening up to 1,100 posts.

However, it insisted the final outcome had “yet to be decided”, and
PizzaExpress have said that it has also hired advisers from Lazard to lead a sale process for the business.

The firms closed all its UK restaurants on the 23rd of March after the government-ordered lockdown, aimed at curbing the spread of infection.

Andy Pellington, group chief finance officer, said: “While we have had to make some very difficult decisions, none of which has been taken lightly, we are confident in the actions being taken to reduce the level of debt, create a more focused business and improve the operational performance, all of which puts us in a much stronger position.”

“We can now plan to invest in both our UK&I and international businesses as well as support our teams as they return to work.”

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Zoe Bowley, UK and Ireland managing director of PizzaExpress, said: “Our business has a long history of success, but the UK-wide lockdown has hit the hospitality industry particularly hard.”

1,100 jobs at risk as PizzaExpress looks at closing 67 restaurants
Zoe Bowley, UK and Ireland managing director of PizzaExpress

“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.”

She added: “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.”

This comes after a government minister has defended the decision of the Conservative Party to not suspend an MP who was arrested on suspicion of rape. UK Business minister Nadhim Zahawi has said that it is “right” to wait for the conclusion of a police investigation into the claims.

Eve Cooper
Eve Cooper
I've been writing articles and stories for as long as I can remember and in the past few years I've had the fortune of turning that love & passion for writing into my job :)

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