A pizza chain is to open its first restaurant in the city after a Russian-owned company closed.

Tops Pizza will open a takeaway branch in York Place, Brighton, later this week offering deals to its first customers.

The first pizza-hungry patrons will be able to claim free medium pizzas in the first hours of opening on Thursday.

The outlet replaces Dodo Pizza, which closed last year amid the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Polish media reported that the chain was shutting all its UK outlets in part due to economic sanctions imposed on Russia.

The Argus: Tops Pizza in York Place, BrightonTops Pizza in York Place, Brighton (Image: The Argus)

Tops Pizza, which opened its first branch in London in 1989, now has over 70 across the UK, with branches in Crawley, Eastbourne and Worthing.

Its pizzas include a German doner pizza with gherkins and tomato sauce, the “Peri Peri Lover” with chicken, chorizo, peppers, red onion and tomato, and the “Tops Club” - a pizza with chicken, bacon, tomato, three different cheeses and ranch sauce.

The outlet in York Place opens from 3pm on Thursday.