Express Departures

There's bad news for fans of Pizza Express as the national chain have announced they will be permanently closing 73 of its 454 restaurants, putting 1,100 jobs at risk, after the already struggling business was hit hard by the coronavirus lockdown.

The casual dining chain - already over £1 billion in debt as a result of private equity buyouts - agreed to close the branches as part of a company voluntary arrangement (CVA) with creditors, as they try to find a new owner for the business.

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There's some good news for Manchester diners though, as whilst the Bramhall and Glossop branches are amongst those set to close, none of the chain's six Manchester city centre venues are affected - The Corn Exchange, First Street, King Street, Oxford Street, Peter Street, and Piccadilly Gardens.

The chain had originally planned to start reopening most branches on the 3rd September, however, due to the popularity of the Government's Eat Out to Help Out scheme, brought forward those plans with Didsbury, Hale, Knutsford, Wilmslow, Macclesfield, and Poynton opening in July, with Manchester King Street joining them on the 6th August, and The Trafford Centre, Bury, and Stockport returning on August 13th.

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