Bella Italia restaurant in Inverness still operating but Café Rouge at Inverness airport to close as owner, Casual Dining Group, goes into administration
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The Café Rouge restaurant at Inverness Airport is set to close after the owner called in administrators.
The Casual Dining Group, which also owns the Bella Italia and Las Iguanas restaurant brands, will close 91 of its 250 restaurants, cutting 1909 jobs.
The Inverness branch of Bella Italia, in Bridge Street, is still operating for now.
In a statement the board said that entering administration was in the best interest of stakeholders during what was described as an “extreme operating environment” caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
Chief executive 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.
“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.”
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.”
