Four Yorkshire restaurants closed as 1,900 jobs axed

Four Yorkshire restaurants are to close as part of a wider jobs cull after Casual Dining Group called in administrators.

Some 1,900 of the company 6,000 staff have lost their jobs immediately.

Casual Dining Group owns the Bella Italia, Belgo, Cafe Rouge and Las Iguanas brands – among others – and the job losses come amid another brutal week for the high street.

The following Yorkshire sites have closed:

Bella Italia, Leeds
Café Rouge, York
Las Iguanas, Harrogate
Las Iguanas, York

Chief executive of the group James Spragg said: “After reviewing all our options with advisers, it became clear that we needed to take this action in order to protect the business and secure the best possible future for Casual Dining Group as we look to conclude a potential sale.

Administrator Clare Kennedy, from Alix Partners, said: “We appreciate that this is an extremely difficult time for all those associated with Casual Dining Group.

“Our immediate priorities are to assist those whose employment has been affected by today’s announcement and to secure a sale for the group in order to protect jobs and provide the Group’s much-loved brands with a sustainable platform for the future.”