PizzaExpress snaps up High Holborn

PizzaExpress is buying former Michelin-starred London restaurant High Holborn, and will convert it into a Café Pasta restaurant.

High Holborn opened in August last year and closed in May, just four months after winning its first Michelin star.

Days after closing it went into administration.

Paul Clark and Andrew Stoneman, partners at Menzies Corporate Restructuring, were appointed joint administrators by the High Court in London (Caterer, 7 June, page 6).

Clark said: "We have exchanged but not yet completed with PizzaExpress."

He added: "They are going to take it on and convert it into a Café Pasta because they have a PizzaExpress two doors away." Clark said PizzaExpress was paying more than £400,000 for the restaurant.

Sean Wilson, former joint owner of High Holborn, declined to comment on the deal. He said: "It is unwise at the moment for me to talk. I want the dust to settle." PizzaExpress chief executive Ian Eldridge said: "We are always interested in good restaurant sites." He would not comment further. by Louise Bozec