Futures of two high-profile restaurants in Harborough have been thrown into serious doubt

The futures of two high-profile restaurants in Market Harborough have been thrown into serious doubt.

Both Zizzi’s on the High Street and Pizza Express on St Mary’s Place could be axed as the devastating Covid-19 pandemic continues to take a high toll on struggling businesses.

Zizzi is shutting about 75 outlets nationwide while scores of Pizza Express sites are also believed to be at risk as thousands of workers face losing their jobs.

A spokeswoman for the Azzurri Group, which owns Zizzi’s, told the Harborough Mail today they are set to close about 75 eateries.

She said: “We cannot reveal yet which sites are to shut because it’s not been laid down in concrete.”

The spokeswoman said the position should become much clearer over the next few weeks.

Neither Zizzi’s nor Pizza Express in Market Harborough has yet re-opened after being shut as the coronavirus lockdown was imposed in late March.

Steve Holmes, the chief executive of the Azzurri Group, said: “The Covid-19 crisis has had a profound impact on the casual dining sector, bringing many businesses like ours to a standstill.

“Despite being a successful operator, the immediate loss of revenue during lockdown meant that we have had to make some incredibly difficult decisions to protect the business for the long term.”

He added: “It is with deep sadness that this process will result in the permanent closure of a number of sites and that we must say goodbye to greatly valued employees across our brands.”