Pizza Express have announced their decision that the Maidstone PizzaExpress restaurant and music venue in Earl Street, which has been hosting music events for three decades, will not be re-opening, citing deterioration of the building, and repair and refurbishment costs which would make it unsustainable to keep going. It is one of seventy restaurants to be closed, as was announced today (story here. )

Pizza Express in Earl St Maidstone. Photo from Streetview

The founder of PizzaExpress Peter Boizot opened the Maidstone Music Room in 1989. People who have performed there include Jamie Cullum, Gerry and the Pacemakers, Scouting For Girls and Mica Paris, Liane Carroll, Ian Shaw, Claire Martin, Shakatak….

Liane Carroll commented : “Very sad to hear this news. Over the last 20 years I have been lucky enough to play some fabulous gigs there, solo, with my beloved trio […] .Thank you to everybody who has supported us there.”

Pizza Express’s Music Department have commented in a letter: “Music will remain of great importance to us all at PizzaExpress, and we hope that one day soon, we’ll see you in another one of our music venues, once we’re safely re-opened.”