Northampton's Chiquito restaurant may not open again after lockdown as chain goes into administration

At least one restaurant in Northampton may not reopen its doors at the end of the Covid-19 lockdown.

The owner of Chiquito restaurants - The Restaurant Group - announced yesterday (March 30) it was searching to put the chain into administration, meaning 61 branches are at risk of closing permanently.

The franchise says it is struggling to cope with the fallout from the coronavirus outbreak after the Government all restaurants, pubs and clubs to shut earlier this month.

Around 20 restaurants are reportedly not part of the business getting ready for an administration and will more than likely reopen after the lockdown.

A spokesman said: "Covid-19 has had an immediate and significant impact on trading across the Group.

"We have conducted a review of the performance of our business divisions, with a particular focus on the expected future cash generation profile of each of our business units."

"As a result, the Group has taken the very difficult decision to [file] a notice of intention to appoint an administrator for Chiquito Limited.

"The decisions have been incredibly difficult and we recognise the significant impact on all of our colleagues that are affected. We thank them for their hard work and commitment during these very testing times."

The UK's pubs, clubs and restaurants have had it tough since the Government directed for all leisure facilities to shut earlier this month to help prevent the spread of Covid-19.

It comes after the troubled group - which also owns Wagamama and Frankie & Benny's - announced in February it was already planning to close up to 90 of its restaurants by the end of 2021.