Papa John's Announces Closure of 43 UK Restaurants – Chelmsford Branch Spared

Chelmsford, Essex – Pizza lovers across the UK received mixed news in late March 2024 as Papa John's revealed plans to shut 43 of its restaurants, citing underperformance amid challenging trading conditions.

The American pizza chain, which operates around 450 outlets in the UK (plus additional sites in service stations and holiday parks), confirmed the closures on 26 March 2024. All affected stores were expected to close by mid-May 2024 following a consultation process with staff.

Papa John's described the sites as "underperforming locations that are no longer financially viable." The move forms part of a wider review of the business aimed at focusing on stronger-performing stores and adapting to changing customer habits in the competitive takeaway market.

The full list of closing restaurants includes branches in towns and cities across England, such as:

  • Billericay, Essex
  • Barnsley, South Yorkshire
  • Bexhill and Eastbourne, East Sussex
  • Harrogate, North Yorkshire
  • Multiple London locations including Bromley, Peckham, Putney and Wimbledon
  • And others in places like Darlington, Doncaster, Lancaster, and St Helens.

No job loss figures were released at the time, though the closures were anticipated to impact staff at the affected sites.

Will the Chelmsford Papa John's Close?

Local residents in Chelmsford can breathe a sigh of relief. The Papa John's branch at 15 Bishop Hall Lane, Chelmsford CM1 1RP, was not included in the list of 43 stores earmarked for closure.

Contemporary local reports explicitly noted that the Chelmsford outlet would remain open and unaffected by the March 2024 announcement. While the nearby Billericay branch (on Western Road) was confirmed for closure by mid-May 2024, the Chelmsford store continued trading as normal.

This is positive news for fans of the chain in the city, who can still enjoy Papa John's signature pizzas, sides, and deals via delivery or collection from the Bishop Hall Lane location.

Broader Context and What’s Next

The 2024 closures were part of ongoing pressures on the UK hospitality sector, including rising costs, changing consumer spending, and intense competition from rivals like Domino's and independent takeaways. Papa John's later reported further UK rationalisation, but the initial wave of 43 closures was the headline event in spring 2024.

Customers affected by closing branches were encouraged to use nearby remaining stores or the Papa John's app and website for orders.