Guildford Pizza Express Re-Opens With A New Look

Published on: 26 Nov, 2017
Updated on: 26 Nov, 2017

Pizza Express, in Guildford’s Upper High Street, has recently reopened with a new look which draws from the works of Lewis Carroll, represented by an eclectic mix of framed artworks, quirky clocks and a range of unique mirrors.

The new decor, inspired by the work of Lewis Carroll.

The refurbished restaurant boasts a new bar with lounge style seating, a high dining counter and new fixed seating and lighting in the main restaurant.

The conservatory at the rear of the restaurant now has a botanical scheme, including hanging plants, with more flexible space for dining or private parties, along with the all-seasons garden area which has been transformed with a pergola.

The restaurant will also host regular live contemporary music sessions, when new and emerging artists will play on Thursday evenings.

Restaurant Manager Subash Shrestha commented: “We are incredibly excited to be relaunching our newly transformed restaurant in Guildford and can’t wait to invite new guests and regulars inside to see the changes.”

The Pizza Express chain was founded by Peter Boizot in 1965. Having travelled and worked around Europe as a young man, on his return to the UK he was shocked to discover that pizza was nowhere to be found. His passion for all things Italian led him to open his first restaurant in Soho’s Wardour Street in 1965.

Peter Boizot, founder of Pizza Express, outside his first restaurant in Soho.

Pizza Express is now an international brand. Since July 2014, it has been owned by Hony Capital, a Chinese private equity firm. There are 600 restaurants internationally, trading from 14 different territories, with 490 of these sites in the UK and Ireland.

Recent refurbishments of the restaurant chain’s premises have aimed to reflect their locality. The Woking branch pays homage to punk rock band The Jam, which was formed in Woking, the Cobham restaurant reflects the area’s Railton Car production and the Camberley branch has drawn inspiration from the nearby Royal Military Academy in Sandhurst.

Staff outside the refurbished Pizza Express in Guildford.

The reopening of the Guildford branch was just in time for the restaurant’s Christmas menu launch on November 21, which includes a roast dinner pizza, complete with beef and roast potatoes, a maple-glazed gammon Romana, and a cheese and potato pizza for vegetarians, complete with white sauce, red onion, capers and rosemary.

Younger pizza-lovers can create their own pizzas and budding chefs can celebrate a birthday with a Pizza Making Party.

For more details visit www.pizzaexpress.com/guildford.