Stourbridge Pizza Express closure 'very disappointing'

The Stourbridge restaurant is one of 73 across the UK set to close, which also includes those in the Merry Hill shopping centre, Walsall, Ludlow, Stafford and Stoke, Bromsgrove, two in Birmingham – Corporation Street and Mailbox – and Wrexham.

Councillor Steve Clark, for the Wollaston and Stourbridge Town Ward, said: "From a personal point of view I'm absolutely gutted because I use it all the time but also in terms of having quality facilities within Stourbridge, it's very disappointing news.

"The people there are part of the community, when there are problems in the area we all get together, it will be greatly missed."

It said that although the majority of its restaurants were profitable before lockdown was imposed, earnings had been declining across the Pizza Express estate for the last three years.

It added that the reduction in revenue caused by the enforced closure of all restaurants, the cost of reopening and the UK's uncertain economic future meant its rental costs were no longer sustainable.

Andy Street, the Mayor of the West Midlands, said: “The news that Pizza Express is shutting restaurants across the West Midlands is another example of the incredibly challenging economic times companies from all sectors are facing.

“Our region was in robust shape before the pandemic, with record numbers of people in work and our economy growing faster than anywhere else outside London, and I am determined we re-capture that success story.

"By working with the likes of Government, local authorities, businesses, and training providers, we are doing all we can to protect existing and create new jobs for local people.”