A NATIONAL chain Pizza Express is coming to Ludlow.

The pizza company will open in the town centre later in the year at the premises of what is currently The Marches pub.

Councillor Boddington, who represents Ludlow North on Shropshire Council, said that he liked Pizza Express but has some concerns about another national brand coming into a town noted for its independent shops.

“It seems that there will be little difference and instead of a pub that sells pizza it will be a pizza restaurant that sells alcohol,” said Mr Boddington.

“However, I do have some misgivings about yet another national brand coming to the town.

“I can’t ignore that this is also another intrusive national brand coming to our town of independent traders.

“In recent years we have seen Costa, WH Smiths, Fat Face, and Crewe invade. Wildwood took over De Greys."

But Tish Dockerty, the secretary of the Ludlow Chamber of Trade and a member of the Love Ludlow campaign, is unhappy about the arrival of Pizza Express.

“There is nothing that we can do to stop these brands but I do not believe that it is good for the town where there are already many good local independent shops,” she said.

“When people come to Ludlow they expect to see something distinctive and not the main square of the town dominated by national brands.”

In a statement Pizza Express said: “Castle Square is an exceptionally picturesque area and we’re very excited about creating a beautiful design to complement the building and its immediate surroundings – something we always aim to achieve when working with buildings of historic importance, and something that our founder, Peter Boizot, has always been passionate about.

"This year we’re celebrating 50 years since Peter opened the first Pizza Express and are looking forward to bringing to Ludlow our fresh, handmade pizzas and new job opportunities.”