PIZZA Express in Bromsgrove has been earmarked for closure as part of restructuring plans which will see 1,100 jobs cut from the chain’s restaurants across the UK.
The company which has launched a Company Voluntary Arrangement (CVA) proposing the shut 73 of its outlets nationwide which equates to one in six.
The chain had publicly put itself up for sale earlier this month.
Pizza Express, owned by Chinese private equity firm Hony Capital since 2014, has been hit hard by the pandemic and the move is aimed at providing a stronger footing long-term.
Zoe Bowley, UK and Ireland managing director of Pizza Express, said: “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.
“In most cases, there is another Pizza Express nearby, either already open or reopening soon, to welcome our customers.
“Unfortunately, the impact of the global pandemic has meant that we have had to make some incredibly tough decisions to safeguard Pizza Express for the long term.”
Other outlets closing in the West Midlands include two in Birmingham city centre – in
Corporation Street and the Mailbox, and one in Moseley.
No timescale has been released about when the closures will take place.
A total 150 of the jobs are based in the region.
