Billericay High Street's Pizza Express is set to close along with 72 of their other stores across the UK.

The announcement comes after the chain said they had to cut a deal to reduce rent costs after the impact of Covid-19, leaving 1,100 jobs potentially at risk.

Although most of its restaurants have been profitable over the past three years, bosses say earnings have been declining over this period.

Other stores set to close also include New Brighton, Newcastle and Ipswich on Lloyds Avenue.

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Zoe Bowley, Pizza Express's managing director for the UK and Ireland, said: "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."

Ms Bowley added that in most cases, the stores selected for closure are near to another Pizza Express that has already reopened or will be reopening soon.

She also reassured that the cuts will protect the jobs of over 9,000 colleagues.