Major pizza chain to close location for good and apologises to customers who call it ‘the end of an era’

A MAJOR pizza chain is set to close one of its locations for good and apologised to customers.

Pizza Hut is shutting down one of its outlets in Lincolnshire and fans of the restaurant are calling it "the end of an era".

The popular chain is closing its location at Skegness Retail Park, Lincolnshire this weekend.

The restaurant sits alongside other retailers such as Halfords, Currys, Poundstretcher and B&Q and is described by some locals as being "a bit out of town".

The announcement comes as many restaurants, retailers and other venues struggle to keep pace with increasing costs and lack of footfall.

A spokesperson for Pizza Hut UK and Europe, said: "We can confirm that our Skegness Hut, located in Skegness Retail Park, will permanently close on Saturday, October, 21.

"Responding to an ever-shifting consumer landscape, our business and operating models are evolving.

"We are confident in the ongoing success of one of Britain’s favourite businesses, and we apologise for any inconvenience caused."

Locals have been taking to Facebook to express their disappointment at the news of the closure.

One person said: "That's such a shame, took all my nieces and nephews there, so many happy memories."

Another commented: "I worked here for nearly a year back in 2008, a great place to work, shame it's closing."

While another added: "Oh no, it's the end of an era."

However, others commented that the restaurant always looked empty and was too overpriced.

One person said: "The usual case of use it regularly or lose it, it's as simple as that."

Another said: "Too expensive especially when you can walk in Heron, Iceland and Farmfoods and in some cases get three for the price of one."

Meanwhile, other locals speculated what could replace the restaurant on Heath Road Industrial Estate

One person commented: "I heard it could be a McDonald's."

And another added: "Should make it a pizza drive-thru."

The first Pizza Hut restaurant opened in the UK over 40 years ago and now employs 10,000 staff across more than 260 restaurants up and down the country.

Meanwhile, back in 2020, the restaurant chain announced that it would be closing 29 branches following its rescue from the brink of collapse.

At the time the chain was saved from going bust after landlords agreed to reduce rents on restaurant branches.

In August this year, the future of the pizza chain was once again hanging in the balance as it battled against mounting debts.

Pizza Hut is currently in the process of repaying £73million worth of debt with £31million needing to be paid by April 2024.

However, despite its struggles the fan favourite still manages to keep its customers happy.

In July it brought back two popular items to the menu after almost a decade which delighted pizza fans.

It also launched an exclusive birthday cake cookie dough, available for dine-in customers only.

Other restaurant chains have also been shutting down locations in an effort to boost earnings.

The Restaurant Group (TRG) revealed earlier this year it would be cutting back on the number of Frankie and Benny's and Chiquito restaurants by 30%.

In December 2022 pub chain Wetherspoons also announced it would be closing a total of 39 pubs after being hit with soaring inflation.

Plus burger chain Byron Burger fell into administration and immediately closed nine of its branches.

The rising cost of living has people thinking twice before spending their hard-earned cash and this is having a knock-on effect with high street retailers as well as the hospitality sector.

Recently much-loved discounter Wilko closed the last of its shops after falling into administration in August.

Even though the retailer has now disappeared from our high streets the brand name does live on.

The Range agreed a deal to buy the Wilko website and brand name in a £5million deal.

Rival retailer Poundland also agreed to buy up 71 shops from the troubled discounter, some of which have already started to reopen under the Poundland name.