Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

Pizza Express about to go into adminstration?

252 replies

QuimJongUn · 07/10/2019 12:29

I've seen people talking about this on social media but can't find anything about it online. Anyone heard anything/got any links?

It's daft but I've got a real fondness for the place especially with money off from Clubcard vouchers

OP posts:
SpinySue · 07/10/2019 13:28

Aw no. We always get 2 for 1 on main meals or a main for £5 on o2 priority. It's not expensive but the restaurant is always quiet.

I have a child with allergies and Pizza express is good for us because he can join in eating a proper meal with us rather than just getting chips!

HouseworkAvoider10 · 07/10/2019 13:30

Not surprised at all.

its like a remnant from 1998.
loads of good independent pizza places have passed it out.

SuzieBishop · 07/10/2019 13:31

Oh nooooo I love those bloody doughballs!!!! We always go to Pizza Express 😟

MrsFrankDrebin · 07/10/2019 13:32

Their pizzas are good (especially where we are - but I've had mediocre ones elsewhere) but they're very pricey for what you get. A 3 course meal (without vouchers or special deals) is beyond what most people would say is a 'cheap eat' these days.

A shame if they go under, but they've traded a touch too long on providing slightly underwhelming portions (especially starters and salads) for the money they charge, and hoping the goodwill of regular customers will see them through.

HugsAreMyDrugs · 07/10/2019 13:33

I hope not. I love Pizza Express.

Ah well at least I've still got Zizzis. For now Sad.

PontinPlace · 07/10/2019 13:34

I'm Italian and I think the pizzas are actually very good there. People are snobby about it because it's a chain place, but I think their food is genuinely decent.

HugsAreMyDrugs · 07/10/2019 13:35

Not sure I get the whole snobbery about chain places either. Ime chains are better at dealing with dietary requirement and allergies.

eyeoresancerre · 07/10/2019 13:36

We stupidly ordered the pasta there last week, it was just dreadful. Actually complained (which I never do). Just walked away feeling hugely ripped off. Just need to convince the children that there's an alternative to their religion devotion to doughballs.

Milicentbystander72 · 07/10/2019 13:36

I used to go a lot when the dcs were little.

I'm another one who loves their Florentina pizza. Really nice. I'll admit I haven't been for ages though.

57Varieties · 07/10/2019 13:37

It is a shame but the last times I’ve been in (Friday night, different branches) it’s been dead.

SirVixofVixHall · 07/10/2019 13:37

Oh no ! I hope not. One of the only places I can pizza out with all the family and not worry, as they have a decent gluten free range.

MissDollyMix · 07/10/2019 13:38

I've been going to Pizza Express since I was tiny and it will always hold a fond place in my heart but I wouldn't be surprised at all (if it went under). The last couple of years they've changed the menus (removed a lot of classics) and upped the prices. The last couple of occasions we visited they were so bad I've decided not to go back. They've also shot themselves in the foot a bit because you can buy their pizzas so much cheaper from the supermarket.

pigeononthegate · 07/10/2019 13:38

I love their lasagne Blush

Drabarni · 07/10/2019 13:38

Oh well, there goes some more of our work, not there very often but another venue gone.
Not a good time for anyone, but these places closes has a knock on effect to other businesses not only the staff that work there, what a shame.

ChardonnaysDistantCousin · 07/10/2019 13:39

The pizzas are good, I’m not disputing it. I just don’t like the millions of children rampaging through.

anyoneseenmykeys · 07/10/2019 13:40

I've heard it a lot, I hope it's not true!

They are pretty much the only one with a decent gluten-free menu, kids friendly and the pizzas are very eatable.

I can't think of any decent one to go to if Pizza Express disappears to be honest.

Evilmorty · 07/10/2019 13:40

Ours is awful. Holes in the walls. Floor tiles missing. Revolving door that gets stuck almost every time I go in. It used to be very busy but it’s always empty now.

Was actually very surprised at the nice meal we had in prezzo last week though, that’s usually not so great but we loved it.

jennymanara · 07/10/2019 13:42

Yes our local one seemed to have turned into a children's place. Loads of kids there, which meant anyone who did not have kids with them, would not want to eat there.

Mablethorpe · 07/10/2019 13:42

Service is consistently bad at both our local branches which means we've given it a wide berth for quite a few years. Like lots of chains, I suspect complacency has taken its toll.

PancakeAndKeith · 07/10/2019 13:43

I’m not really surprised. Did anyone ever eat there without a voucher?

zebrasdontwearbras · 07/10/2019 13:43

Nooo! It's my DC's favourite Sad

onemouseplace · 07/10/2019 13:43

Another one who goes for the good gluten free menu, especially for children.

But, their restaurants are usually massive and very empty. Not surprising as there seem to be more sour dough pizza places than chicken where we are.

Grumpyperson · 07/10/2019 13:44

I hope not, their pizzas are nice and service is good. They are better than the likes of Prezzo or Zizzi.

BarbaraofSeville · 07/10/2019 13:45

Ime chains are better at dealing with dietary requirement and allergies

Because a lot of the food is factory made and reheated. If you have pasta in a chain restaurant, you're basically paying restaurant prices for a ready meal.

I'll never understand the popularity of PE etc. You'll almost certainly get better food and service at lower prices in an independent Italian restaurant.

Grumpyperson · 07/10/2019 13:45

They've also shot themselves in the foot a bit because you can buy their pizzas so much cheaper from the supermarket

You can, but they are not the same recipe. They taste a lot better in the restaurants.