RESTAURANT chain Pizza Hut has closed its outlet on the Phoenix Leisure Park after its lease was not renewed by landlords.

The firm says the closure of the restaurant on Dunwoody Way was unavoidable after developments last year which saw it negotiate a rent reduction to offset losses during the lockdown.

But that meant the leisure park's landlords could trigger a break option under the terms of the lease so that their managing agents, Montagu Evans, could seek a more lucrative tenancy under vacant possession.

Pizza Hut has now shut the restaurant and says it will try to redeploy staff to nearby branches.

The company still retains a delivery/takeaway shop on Nantwich Road in Crewe.

A company spokesperson said: "Like many hospitality businesses, Pizza Hut Restaurants has faced disruption due to the pandemic.

"We are saddened by the closure of our Crewe restaurant, however this was beyond our control.

"Wherever possible we always try to redeploy our team members to other Pizza Hut restaurants in order to minimise the impact to our workforce. You can continue to enjoy Pizza Hut at our Stoke-on-Trent restaurant."

Pizza Hut was hit badly by the pandemic and earmarked 29 restaurants for closure when a Company Voluntary Arrangement was struck in September 2020.

Under the agreement the chain's landlords agreed to receive reduced rent for 215 other restaurants.

New tenants are being sought for the 3,631 sq. foot unit in Crewe.

The leisure park has suffered in recent times. The former MFA Bowling Alley closed down in 2018 and although PureGym drew up plans recently to use a mezzanine on the first floor of the premises as a 24/7 gym facility the unit remains empty.

Mecca Bingo and the Odeon Cinema spent time closed during successive lockdowns, but are now both open again.