Relief for staff as Bella Italia's Northampton restaurant looks set to survive parent company's collapse

Staff at Northampton's Bella Italia restaurant look set to keep their jobs for now after its parent company collapsed into administration on Thursday.

Owners Casual Dining Group is expected to be sold this week although 91 its restaurants have already been identified for permanent closure with a likely loss of 1,900 of the group's 6,000 workforce.

According to the company's website Bella Italia's Sixfields site is currently waiting on a date to reopen following the Covid-19 lockdown.

Administrators Alix Partners revealed there have been a number of offers for Casual Dining Group — which also owns Cafe Rouge — but they all involved closing a number of the company's 250 locations.

Casual Dining Group's CEO James Spragg, said: “After reviewing all our options with advisors, 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.

"We are acutely aware of our duty to all employees and recognise that this is an incredibly difficult time for them.

"Working alongside the administrators we will do everything we can to support them through this process with a view to preserving as much employment as we are able to.”

Cafe Rouge restaurant in Milton Keynes is among those earmarked to shut along with around a third of Bella Italia's 112 sites.

A statement from Alix Partners said that entering administration would allow the group to conclude negotiations over rent deals with landlords.

Joint Administrator Clare Kennedy 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.”

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