SINCE Pizza Express announced it may consider closing 67 of its UK restaurants, there is uncertainty over the future of Basingstoke's outlets.

The chain is the latest High Street outlet to undertake a restructuring of its business after trading was stopped by the coronavirus pandemic.

The news comes just a day after the Government launched its Eat Out to Help Out plan to boost the restaurant trade.

When The Gazette asked Pizza Express which 449 UK outlets were in danger of closure, it was unable to confirm.

There are currently 166 restaurants open, all of which are participating in Chancellor Rishi Sunak's £10 off meal deal.

When lockdown first began on March 23, they all closed but since July some of the restaurants have reopened.

The company said restructuring the business would put it on a stronger financial footing in the new socially distanced environment.

If all 67 outlets are closed, that would mean the loss of 15 per cent of its restaurants, but it said the final outcome was yet to be decided.

Zoe Bowley, UK and Ireland managing director for Pizza Express, said that while the financial restructuring would be a "positive step forward", the closures would be "incredibly sad for our Pizza Express family and we will do everything we can to support our teams at this time".

Previously, Pizza Express has said the majority of its restaurants are profitable.