Landlord-led Speke Pizza Hut closure affects 18; Wingstop reportedly to take over

Pizza Hut has closed its dine-in restaurant at New Mersey Retail Park in Speke, with roughly 18 onsite employees reported to be affected after what the company described as a "landlord-led" decision. Local reporting gives the closure date as 7 February 2026, and social posts at the site indicated a final trading day, though the takeover by Wingstop remains reported but unconfirmed.

A Pizza Hut spokesperson said: “We can confirm that the dine-in Pizza Hut restaurant in Speke, Liverpool, is unfortunately expected to close following a landlord-led decision. [...] We are currently in discussions regarding support and/or relocation for affected team members. Customers can continue to enjoy their Pizza Hut favourites at our nearby dine-in Hut in Aintreeor Warringtonor via our Pizza Hut Delivery location in Allerton.” Pizza Hut also said the closure is unrelated to the sale process or administration involving DC London Pie, the firm that previously ran UK dine-in Pizza Hut restaurants.

The Speke unit is located at New Mersey Retail Park, Speke Road, L24 8QB, a retail cluster that includes national chains and a busy cinema complex. The restaurant’s advertised phone number is 0151 4270505 and its site listing described amenities such as accessible facilities, WiFi, a salad bar and buffet, and generous free onsite parking. Retail park owner British Land declined to comment when asked about the closure and any incoming tenancy.

Reports that Wingstop has signed to take over the unit have circulated on social media and in local coverage, but no confirmation has been provided by Wingstop or the landlord. Journalists and local sources have described the reported Wingstop move as a likely re-let, not yet finalized in lease or company statements.

The closure sits against a backdrop of corporate restructuring across Pizza Hut’s UK dine-in network. DC London Pie appointed administrators from corporate finance firm FTI last year; administrators named in that process completed a pre-pack sale of 64 dine-in restaurants and the Republic of Ireland master franchise to Pizza Hut UK, a transaction said at the time to safeguard 1,276 jobs. The group had earlier announced that up to 68 sites would shut as part of wider adjustments, and other local closures were recorded in late 2025.

For staff, the immediate questions are practical: whether relocation or redeployment offers will be finalized, what redundancy protections apply, and how notice and final pay will be handled. Pizza Hut’s statement that it is “in discussions regarding support and/or relocation” suggests those conversations are under way but not concluded. For customers, nearby dine-in Huts in Aintree and Warrington and a delivery outlet in Allerton were cited as alternatives.

This closure underscores the fragile position for frontline hospitality roles during retail re-lets and restructuring. Affected team members should confirm next steps with Pizza Hut management, while the reported incoming tenant will need to confirm any signing or fit-out plans before a firm timeline for reopening under a new brand can be set.