PizzaExpress has announced further reopening dates for over 150 more of its pizzerias across the UK.

71 restaurants will reopen on Thursday 30 July and an additional 88 on Thursday 6 August.

These next phases of PizzaExpress’ reopening plan follow successful ‘test and learn’ trials of delivery, click-and-collect and dine-in services at selected pizzerias since 9 July. Further phases of UK restaurant reopenings will be announced shortly, the brand said.

“Opening in accordance with the latest government advice, each pizzeria has robust measures in place to ensure the safety and wellbeing of teams and customers,” said PizzaExpress.

“These include a physically distanced layout, hand sanitiser stations, heightened hygiene procedures and cleaning measures along with regular health checks of team members.

“We’ve also introduced a new online booking service, as well as a new digital menu and cashless payment to assist and reassure customers.”

Each pizzeria that’s open will be making use of the government’s ‘Eat Out to Help Out’ scheme throughout August for dine-in customers.

Applicable Monday – Wednesday between 3 and 31 August, the scheme will cover half the cost of customers’ meals, up to £10 per head. The offer applies to all menu items excluding alcohol and can also be used in conjunction with existing offers.

As a further incentive, PizzaExpress is currently offering dine-in customers a FREE portion of its iconic Dough Balls with every main course ordered.

Zoe Bowley, Managing Director at PizzaExpress said:“It’s been very exciting to welcome customers back into our restaurants in the last fortnight, and our teams are looking forward to reopening hundreds more pizzerias in the next few weeks.

“Our top priority remains the safety and wellbeing of our teams and customers, and we are very grateful for the way that our customers have embraced our new procedures.

“The response to our online booking system, new digital menus and cashless payments has been fantastic, and we encourage everyone to use these services as much as possible as their local restaurant reopens.”

“All of our open restaurants will be very happily supporting the Eat out to Help Out scheme in August, which will give our customers outstanding value for money.

“We’re working hard to provide the PizzaExpress experience that our customers love in a safe and responsible way, as we bring back our freshly handmade pizza to even more locations as soon as we can.”