UK high street restaurant chain appoints administrators - 6,000 jobs at risk

The owner of High Street restaurant chains Cafe Rouge and Bella Italia has filed intent to appoint administrators at the UK High Court.

Owner Casual Dining Group, whose brands also include the Las Iguanas chain, employs about 6,000 people.  The company said the move would give it ten days' breathing space to consider "all options" for restructuring.

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Restaurants have been hit hard after shutting their doors in March as part of Britain's virus lockdown.

Earlier on Monday, Casual Dining Group said that it is working with advisers from corporate finance firm AlixPartners over a potential restructuring programme.

A Casual Dining Group spokeswoman said: "As is widely acknowledged, this is an unprecedented situation for our industry and, like many other companies across the UK, the directors of Casual Dining Group are working closely with our advisers as we consider our next steps.

"These notifications are a prudent measure in light of the company's position and the wider situation."

The firm said the move would protect it from any threatened legal action from landlords.

The notice of intent to appoint administrators gives the firm ten days to put a restructuring plan into place.

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