No plans to reopen Zizzi restaurant in Watford

Zizzi emailed customers this week announcing its time in Watford had come to an end.

The email said: "The last few months have been particularly tough for many of us, including the hospitality industry.

"We've had to make some incredibly difficult decisions & we're sorry to say that there are no plans to reopen Zizzi Watford.

"The great news is that there is still a Zizzi not too far. We're pleased to tell you that Zizzi St Albans is now your nearest restaurant."

It was reported in June that the owner of Zizzi and fellow Italian restaurant Ask, the Azzurri Group, would close 75 locations, risking the loss of up to 1,200 jobs.

Azzurri Group, which also owns the Coco Di Mama pasta chain, has been sold out of administration to TowerBrook Capital Partners.

The company said Covid-19 had hit restaurants hard.

Steve Holmes, chief executive of Azzurri Group, said in July: "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.

"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."

Ask Italian also appears to have shut with the Watford restaurant no longer listed as a location on the company's website.

Bella Italia in Watford also closed in the summer and another Italian restaurant – Zinco – also shut this year.

The Watford chain of Middletons Steakhouse and Grill in King Street is also no longer listed on the restaurant’s website.

Chiquito’s at Woodside Leisure Park has closed its doors for good but next door Frankie and Benny’s was saved from closure.

And Pizza Express in the High Street does not appear to be under threat after it did not appear in a list of 73 Pizza Express branches earmarked for closure.

Retail in Watford has also been hit with the loss of huge names Debenhams and John Lewis – although a Next Beauty store has helped plug the Debenhams gap.

Read more: A look inside the brand new Next Home and Beauty Store

The closures of restaurants and shops in Watford have concerned the leader of the Watford Labour group.

Cllr Bell

Councillor Nigel Bell said: "It is deeply disappointing to see yet more job losses in Watford as Zizzi’s announces it won’t be reopening its doors.

"This follows Middletons, Bella Italia, John Lewis and Debenhams, among others, who have closed their doors permanently, leaving noticeable gaps in our high street and many people without jobs in a very difficult time.

"The Chancellor’s recent announcement about the replacement to the furlough scheme came too late for many and may not help retain many jobs after all, as it has been suggested it will be cheaper for businesses to keep fewer employees on full-time than more employees part-time.

"If a job retention scheme incentivises businesses to reduce their numbers of staff, then it is not just failing but is actively working against its supposed goal.

"The Government must do more to inspire confidence in employers, workers and customers by providing businesses and employees with the support they need and by getting a grip on the testing crisis."