Yahoo News Crazy Pedros makes ‘incredibly difficult and heart-breaking’ decision to close North West restaurant
The owners of popular pizza spot Crazy Pedro's have made the ‘incredibly difficult and heart-breaking’ decision to close down one of its restaurants.
Starting life in Manchester ten years ago, Crazy Pedro's has quickly become one of the most popular spots in the city to grab a slice of pizza – with a spot on Bridge Street in the city centre and another on Northern Quarter’s Short Street.
Known for its wacky and unusual creations which just somehow manage to work - including the likes of chips, cheese and gravy, or fried chicken and waffles - its popularity has led to a number of Crazy Pedro's popping up outside of Manchester and across the country too.
In 2017, the pizza company - originally set up by hospitality vets Ross Mackenzie, Jobe Ferguson and Lyndon Higginson - opened its first Liverpool store on Parr Street in the Ropewalks area. However, seven years on, bosses have today revealed the site is sadly now set to close this month.
Posting on Instagram this morning (December 2), bosses have said the ‘party is almost over’ in Liverpool - with the city’s restaurant closing on December 22. Describing it as an ‘incredibly difficult and heart-breaking decision’, the owners cited rising costs, inflation and an impact on the recent budget announcement as a number of reasons for the move.
Bosses have said they are working with staff to ensure they have employment opportunities at other Crazy Pedro’s restaurants or by helping connect them with some of their ‘industry friends’. The owners of the pizza space also own venues including Cane & Grain and The Bay Horse Tavern. At a similar time last year, they closed The Liars Club after 12 years.
The statement read: “Crazy times are unfortunately calling time on Crazy Pedro''s Liverpool. After 7 years of Pedro’s love affair with Liverpool, the party is almost over but not quite yet...
“Rising costs, the ongoing cost of living crisis, inflation and the recent budget mean we can no longer ride it out into the New Year. We love you Liverpool - we are super grateful for all the support and friendships made but unfortunately it’s now beyond our means to carry on.
“We have taken the incredibly difficult and heart-breaking decision to close our doors as of Sunday 22nd December. Our legendary team have flown the flag and brought the party for seven big years and for that we are eternally grateful.
“We are making every step to ensure the team have employment opportunities with us in either our other Pedro’s locations or industry friends across the city. All bookings will be contacted and any existing bookings will remain as planned (please do get in touch with any questions).”
Crazy Pedro's has said it will be ‘going out with a bang’ and will now be offering 2-for-1 drinks ‘all day, every day’ at the Liverpool site until they close on December 22. “So join us for a tequila, slice and a cold one,” they added.
The news was, expectedly, met with upset from pizza fans. Referring to the closure of the Birmingham site last May, one person said: “Dang it! First Birmingham, now Liverpool.” Another wrote: “Devastated doesn’t cover it.”
One person said: “My best nights out have always involved Liverpool & Crazy Pedro's." One other said: "Literally heartbroken." Another commented: "pls don’t ever close the manchester ones"
Asked for confirmation regarding the Manchester restaurants, a spokesperson for Crazy Pedro's has told the Manchester Evening News: “Nothing changes in Manchester – the Manchester sites are strong. Both of our Manchester sites are great and the picture is very positive over here."
When the government’s budget was unveiled at the end of October, it was described as the ‘latest blow’ for pubs and restaurants with the hospitality industry bracing for a 'painful' 2025. The changes included plans to hike employers’ national insurance contributions, as well as a 6.7 per cent hike to the National Living Wage and increase to minimum wage for 18 to 20 year olds.
Many said many of the changes would make it ‘incredibly difficult’ for some hospitality businesses to survive.
