Why has Pizza Plus takeaway in Helston closed down?

The Meneage Street business has abruptly closed its doors, with people in town reporting that the lights have remained off and the shop has not been open for orders for a number of days now. 

Owner Islam Gul has now confirmed he has shut Pizza Plus and left Helston.

He attributed the closure primarily to the "ongoing racial abuse" he and staff have experienced during the two months they were there.

Islam told the Packet that his team had been subjected to abuse by people in the town and that enough was enough. 

Islam Gul (far right) and his team at Pizza Plus in August (Image: Helston Packet) He added that he had now handed the keys back to the owner of the building, and stated that he wouldn’t be coming back.

Following his departure, a number of people have been seen going in and out of the shop, with some suggesting they looked like ‘workmen’.

However, it is not yet known what the plans for the shop are now. 

The Packet reported at the start of August that Islam had taken over the former Salt and Vinegar fish and chip shop and changed the name to Pizza Plus.

At the time, Islam said he hoped it would be a fresh start for the shop, which had been at the centre of complaints on social media.

He told the Packet at the time: “People need to know it’s changed. It’s completely new – a new person, a new menu, a new company.

“I have been doing this job for 20 years and have other shops in Farnham, Horsham, Marlborough and Basingstoke – different menus, but the same kind of set-up.”

READ NEXT

• Helston's Poppy Appeal to welcome new face as stalwart steps down after 10 years
• Meet the new owners of one of Helston's much loved shops

The business hit the headlines recently for having a zero food hygiene rating on the Food Standards Agency website, which said that 'major improvement was necessary' in hygienic handling of food - including preparation, cooking, re-heating, cooling and storage - as well as management of food safety, including system or checks in place to ensure that food sold or served is safe to eat, and evidence that staff knew about food safety.

There was also 'improvement necessary' in the cleanliness and condition of facilities and buildings (including having appropriate layout, ventilation, hand washing facilities and pest control) to enable good food hygiene). 

However, this rating dated back to July 24, 2024, before Islam had refitted the customer and kitchen areas with new equipment and furnishings upon his arrival. The restaurant had been due a re-visit by health inspectors to assess for a new score.