Papa Johns has confirmed it is set to close 43 restaurants across the UK by mid-May, all of which were "underperforming locations that are no longer financially viable".

There are five Papa Johns in Gloucestershire which are not on the closure list, located in Cheltenham, Gloucester, Cirencester and the recently opened restaurant in Tewkesbury. 

Chris Phylactou, Papa Johns UK managing director, said: "Our priority is our team members, who will be fully supported throughout this process.

"Our goal is to work with impacted team members and attempt to find redeployment opportunities where available.

"We understand the impact this will have on our team members and are committed to supporting them during this time."

The global pizza chain has over 500 restaurants in the UK including outlets in service stations and holiday parks.

The group had previously said it planned these "strategic closures" to free up money for investment and improve profitability at its remaining UK sites. The company has not said how many jobs are affected.

Mr Phylactou added: "While this is a difficult decision, closing these underperforming locations will allow us to invest back into the right locations with the right partners for long-term growth.

"We are focused on driving shared profitable growth across our UK restaurants, by continuing to make improvements to our business to ensure that we are well-positioned for the future.

"We have been encouraged by the results so far from these initiatives."

It also said it will look at the development of new types of sites beyond traditional restaurants, such as expanding into holiday parks, and is set to "announce other large retail partners in the coming months".

The 43 Papa Johns restaurants that are set to close by mid-May are:

• Barnsley, South Yorkshire

• Bebington, Merseyside

• Bexhill, East Sussex

• Billericay, Essex

• Bromley, Greater London

• Coulsdon, Greater London

• Cricklewood, Greater London

• Darlington, County Durham

• Doncaster, South Yorkshire

• Durham, County Durham

• East Dulwich, Greater London

• East Grinstead, West Sussex

• Eastbourne, East Sussex

• Hailsham, East Sussex

• Harringay, Greater London

• Harrogate, North Yorkshire

• Hendon, Greater London

• Horsham, West Sussex

• Lancaster, Lancashire

• Leeds Meanwood, West Yorkshire

• Liverpool West Derby Road, Merseyside

• Middlesbrough, North Yorkshire

• Mottingham, Greater London

• Northwood Hills, Greater London

• Peacehaven, East Sussex

• Peckham, Greater London

• Penge, Greater London

• Putney, Greater London

• Redhill, Surrey

• Rochdale, Greater Manchester

• Rotherham, South Yorkshire

• Ruislip, Greater London

• Runcorn, Cheshire

• Scunthorpe, North Lincolnshire

• Sittingbourne, Kent

• Southport, Merseyside

• St Helens, Merseyside

• Stoke Newington, Greater London

• Tunbridge Wells, Kent

• Upminster, Greater London

• Watford St Albans Road, Hertfordshire

• Whitton, Greater London

• Wimbledon, Greater London