PIZZA Hut has closed its Hankridge Way restaurant in Taunton after the business “faced disruption following the pandemic”.
The Hankridge Way site closed on Saturday, August 13. Pizza Hut's logo has since been removed from the building and Taunton Retail Park's signage.
Less than two weeks earlier, the business said it would “remain open and continue to welcome customers until further notice”.
The chain's town centre store on Station Road is still offering its delivery and collection service.
The Pizza Hut restaurant is set to be replaced by a KFC outlet with a drive-thru facility after plans were approved to convert the building.
A spokesperson for Pizza Hut said: “Like many hospitality businesses, Pizza Hut Restaurants has faced disruption following the pandemic.
“We are saddened by the closure of our Hankridge Way restaurant in Taunton, however this was beyond our control.
“Customers can continue to enjoy our pizza from Pizza Hut Delivery, 40 Station Road, Taunton.”
A notice on the restaurant's door tells customers: “Unfortunately, the Taunton Pizza Hut store is now permanently closed as of Saturday, August 13, 2022.
“We're so sorry to be leaving you after so many years.”
Plans to replace the Pizza Hut restaurant with a KFC have been approved.
The plans were submitted in March and granted by Somerset West and Taunton Council earlier this month.
Pizza Hut and KFC are both owned by Yum!, which also operates Taco Bell and US burger chain The Habit.
A spokesperson for the applicant said: “The unprecedented situation presented by the Covid-19 pandemic has brought about changes in demand and consumer habits.
“In light of this, retailers have been favouring the drive-thru format in recognition of their dual functionality, enabling the retailer to offer both restaurant format services as well as drive-thru capabilities.
“The occupation of the unit as a drive-thru restaurant will require alterations to the car park layout to the east of the site to accommodate the unit and to ensure there is no driver conflict or circulation issues, but the access to and from the site will be unchanged.”
KFC has an existing restaurant at 29 East Street, Taunton, which also offers delivery.
The East Street store's opening hours will not be affected by the new drive-thru.
Read more: New KFC drive-thru approved on outskirts of Taunton
Read more: PureGym set to open in Taunton in October
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