Papa Johns is set to close 43 of its UK stores, including four in north west England.

The company confirmed the decision to shut the "underperforming" locations after a review earlier this year. It will close the restaurants by mid-May following a consultation process, Papa Johns International said.

The number of staff affected by these closures has not been disclosed yet. Previously, the group said it planned for "strategic closures" to save money for investment and boost profitability at its remaining UK sites, reports the Mirror.

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Now, it has identified 43 restaurants as "underperforming locations that are no longer financially viable". Among them is the store on Mellor Street in Rochdale.

Chris Phylactou, managing director at Papa Johns UK, said: "Our priority is our team members, who will be fully supported throughout this process. Our goal is to work with impacted team members and attempt to find redeployment opportunities where available. We understand the impact this will have on our team members and are committed to supporting them during this time."

Papa Johns said it plans to increase investment in research and tech, such as better utilising customer data, as part of its UK strategy. It also plans to explore new types of sites beyond traditional restaurants, like expanding into holiday parks, and is set to "announce other large retail partners in the coming months".

Mr Phylactou added: "While this is a difficult decision, closing these underperforming locations will give us the opportunity to invest back into the right locations with the right partners for long-term growth."

"We are focused on driving shared profitable growth across our UK restaurants, by continuing to make improvements to our business to ensure that we are well positioned for the future. We have been encouraged by the results so far from these initiatives."

Full list of Papa Johns closures

  • Barnsley, South Yorkshire
  • Bebington, Merseyside
  • Bexhill, East Sussex
  • Billericay, Essex
  • Bromley, Greater London
  • Coulsdon, Greater London
  • Cricklewood, Greater London
  • Darlington, County Durham
  • Doncaster, South Yorkshire
  • Durham, County Durham
  • East Dulwich, Greater London
  • East Grinstead, West Sussex
  • Eastbourne, East Sussex
  • Hailsham, East Sussex
  • Harringay, Greater London
  • Harrogate, North Yorkshire
  • Hendon, Greater London
  • Horsham, West Sussex
  • Lancaster, Lancashire
  • Leeds Meanwood, West Yorkshire
  • Liverpool West Derby Road, Merseyside
  • Middlesbrough, North Yorkshire
  • Mottingham, Greater London
  • Northwood Hills, Greater London
  • Peacehaven, East Sussex
  • Peckham, Greater London
  • Penge, Greater London
  • Putney, Greater London
  • Redhill, Surrey
  • Rochdale, Greater Manchester
  • Rotherham, South Yorkshire
  • Ruislip, Greater London
  • Runcorn, Cheshire
  • Scunthorpe, North Lincolnshire
  • Sittingbourne, Kent
  • Southport, Merseyside
  • St Helens, Merseyside
  • Stoke Newington, Greater London
  • Tunbridge Wells, Kent
  • Upminster, Greater London
  • Watford St Albans Road, Hertfordshire
  • Whitton, Greater London
  • Wimbledon, Greater London