26th August 2015

AXMINSTER: Pizza chain looking for town outlet

BUT IT WON’T BE AT THE CASTLE

by Anders Larsson

A NATIONAL fast food chain has confirmed it is looking for premises in Axminster.

Following intense speculation in the town, Domino’s Pizza issued a brief statement saying it wants to come to Axminster.

But the link between its search for premises and the closure of Castle Inn appear to be wide of the mark as Punch Taverns says it is seeking a new landlord for the pub.

The pub was recently boarded up and rumour was rife that the pizza chain would move in.

The communications manager for Domino’s Pizza, Helen Tosney-Collins, told Pulman’s View: “We are continually researching and reviewing locations across the country in which to open new stores.

“We have identified Axminster as a possible location for a new store and are currently looking for a suitable site in the town.”

The announcement was met with mixed reactions. Local restaurant Le Pisani recently introduced a pizza and pasta takeaway/free home delivery service.

Raymond Pisani said: “We don’t mind the competition, but it will hit us. We will lose some of our trade. Axminster is not big enough for another pizza place.”

Franco Pisani added: “We can challenge on taste and price without any doubt.”

Axminster Chamber of Commerce chairman Shane Morgan commented: “Any national chain that takes a look at our growing town has to be good news. I think it would be well received.

“Axminster would be the ideal location with the huge hinterland we’ve got.”

Whether or not the company finds a suitable place in the town remains to be seen, but it is unlikely to be in the Castle Inn premises.

Over the last few years the pub has been frequently closed down and then reopened as landlords have come and gone.

The most recent closure also saw the premises boarded up, which hasn’t been the case before.

A spokesperson for Punch Taverns explained: “We can confirm that the Castle Inn has closed.

“For insurance purposes we have had to take certain measures to secure the property, this includes the boarding of windows and doors.

“Our local teams are working hard to recruit a new tenant for the pub and we hope to reopen to the community in the near future.”