TGI Fridays in Northampton closes its doors for good after 30 years following national closures

TGI Fridays in Sixfields has permanently closed its doors following financial difficulties.

A sign in the window of the well-known restaurant simply states, "This restaurant is now permanently closed."

It is not known how many staff have lost their jobs at the site. TGI Fridays has been contacted for comment.

The site is believed to have opened at the end of 1994, marking its 30th anniversary this year.

At its peak, TGI Fridays was the go-to spot for casual dining and celebrations, known for its fun atmosphere, flair bartenders, and classic American comfort food like burgers, ribs, and its famous Jack Daniel's glaze.

According to national news outlets, more than 1,000 TGI Fridays UK staff will be made redundant despite a rescue deal from the owners of restaurant group D&D London.

They have bought the UK operator of the American-themed chain, after its owner fell into administration last month.

The deal will reportedly save nearly 2,400 jobs at 51 restaurants, but the administrators, Teneo, said 35 branches have closed.

The branches closing include Barnsley, Birmingham Hagley Road, Bracknell, Brighton Marina, Bristol Cabot Circus, Cardiff Newport Road, Chelmsford, Cheltenham, Croydon, Derby, Dundee, Durham, Edinburgh Fort Kinnaird, Enfield, Gateshead, Gloucester Quays, Halifax, Jersey, Leeds, Leeds Trinity, Leicester, Lincoln, Manchester Royal Exchange, Newcastle Eldon Square, Newport, Northampton, Prestwich, Romford, Sale, Solihull, Southampton West Quay South, Speke, Sutton Coldfield, Swansea, and Watford North.

The BBC reports that Breal and Calveton secured the deal on Monday after TGI Fridays' UK owner, Hostmore, fell into administration due to debt.

TGI Fridays opened its first restaurant in New York in 1965, and its first UK restaurant on Hagley Road in Birmingham two decades later.