York restaurant closes its doors

The York branch of Strada is one of 11 to close nationally after the Italian restaurant chain said it had experienced rising costs.

The York restaurant, which was on Low Petergate, joins branches in Camden, Clapham, Blackheath, Harpenden, Newbury; Horsham,Henley, Cardiff and Cobham in closing since Christmas.

The Birmingham Mailbox branch will also cease trading at the end of this week. The company’s websites shows that 16 restaurant will remain in the group after this week’s Birmingham Mailbox – Sheffield remains on the list of branches to stay open.

In a statement Strada said: “Following a comprehensive review, it is with regret that we are closing a number of our Strada restaurants, as they are no longer viable as Stradas in this increasingly competitive market.

“Where possible, we are converting the sites to new formats or selling them to other operators, but in some cases, recent increases in rents and rates, coupled with government-decreed rises in wage costs, make it very difficult to operate profitably a full service restaurant serving fresh food.”

It is understood that three of the branches closed are to be converted into other brands owned by the group, including Coppa Club.