Grantham's Pizza Hut faces an uncertain future after restaurant bosses announced a closure programme to help save the rest of the business.

Already, the company re-opened its restaurant on London Road later than others following the easing of lockdown.

As previously reported by Nub News, the opening was last month.

Grantham has also suffered the loss of Pizza Express and other businesses due to the pandemic.

But a second Pizza Hut at Watergate closed earlier this year, suggesting the town's last surviving Pizza Hut at Manors Arm may or should be safe.

A Pizza Hut spokesperson says affected staff should know by 5pm tomorrow (Thursday) whether they would be losing their jobs. The company would also be able soon after to identify which branches would be closing.

The spokesperson said, "Pizza Hut Restaurants (PHR), the UK dine-in franchise business of the global Pizza Hut brand, is currently negotiating a Company Voluntary Agreement (CVA) in order to mitigate the financial impact of Covid-19.

"PHR is one of many hospitality brands that has faced significant disruption and despite a quick, Covid-safe reopening, sales are not expected to fully bounce back until well into 2021.

The statement continued: "We are committed to doing the right thing, and in order to secure as many jobs as possible and continue serving our communities, we are working to reach an agreement with our creditors.

"While we are likely to see 29 Hut closures and 450 job losses, any measures we take aim to protect about 5,000 jobs at our remaining 215 restaurants, as well as the longevity of the business.

"We understand this is a difficult time for everyone involved. We appreciate the support of our business partners and are doing everything we can to help our team members during this process, including speaking with those affected by the consultation.

"This does not affect locations, jobs or operations at Pizza Hut Delivery, any of Pizza Hut Delivery's other franchises or any international Pizza Hut or Yum! operations. As a group, we look forward creating a future where we continue sharing pizza with our communities."