A WINCHESTER city centre restaurant is staying open after two other locations were axed.

Three Joes Pizza, in Great Minster Street, is staying open, the pizza and craft beer chain has confirmed.

This comes after news that the chain’s restaurants in Chichester and Fareham closed suddenly yesterday (Tuesday, April 16) with all staff losing their jobs.

A Three Joes spokesperson said: “We have made the difficult decision to close our Three Joes restaurants in Chichester and Fareham this week. Unfortunately, like many other restaurants in the current cost of living crisis, we have struggled to make these venues viable. We are hugely grateful to our team who have worked so hard and we are talking to them about other opportunities within Three Joes. They have been paid in full and we are in consultation with them.

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“We would like to take this opportunity to thank all our lovely customers of Chichester, Fareham and beyond for their support and kindness.

“Our other venues continue to go from strength to strength and our nearest Three Joes is in Winchester and is ready to welcome our guests any time should they need a delicious sourdough pizza.”

Three Joes Pizza first opened in Winchester in 2018. In 2020 the brand purchased The Stable, including the branch in The Square, from Fuller’s for an undisclosed sum.