A PIZZA Express restaurant has closed its doors for good in Bournemouth.

The Westbourne branch of the eatery shut permanently on Sunday, October 18.

In response to a query regarding the restaurant on social media asking if the site would be closing down, Pizza Express said: “yes we're afraid that restaurant stopped trading from yesterday and will close permanently.”

It comes just weeks after the chain’s plans to close 73 restaurants – including three in Dorset and the New Forest – were approved by creditors.

Branches in Bournemouth's Post Office Road, Poole and Lymington were among those earmarked for closure, impacting 1,100 jobs.

In August, Pizza Express said the slump in revenue caused by the enforced closure of all restaurants, the cost of reopening and the UK’s uncertain economic future, meant its rental costs were no longer sustainable.

Other local branches are located in the BH2 complex, Tower Park and Christchurch.

A spokesman for Pizza Express said: "Whilst our Westbourne pizzeria wasn't included in our company voluntary arrangement which was approved in early September, the landlord has subsequently served us notice, which has sadly resulted in the closure of the restaurant.

"We are doing everything we can to support our teams at this difficult time, and our customers are very welcome to join us at our other local restaurants at the BH2 Leisure Centre or Tower Park."