A FAMILY favourite restaurant chain has abruptly closed one of its branches leaving fans “astonished”.
Cafe Rouge, which is owned by the Big Table Group, has 12 branches in the UK.
1
The Big Table Group also owns Las Iguanas and Bella Italia, as well as brands like Frankie & Benny’s, which was formerly owned by rival chain The Restaurant Group (TRG).
It operates more than 230 sites across the country
But now, Cafe Rouge has pulled the shutters down on its branch at Brighton Marina on February 1.
Customers have taken to social media to share their sadness over the decision.
READ MORE IN MONEY
One Facebook user said: “Sad, I will miss the Cafe Rouge. Good food!”
Another wrote: “I’m astonished.”
While a third added: “What a shame!”
It comes after Cafe Rouge closed its branch in Seamoor Road, Westbourne, Bournemouth, in December.
Most read in Money
The chain still has restaurants in London, Cardiff and Portsmouth.
Food and drink chains in general have been suffering in recent months as the cost of living has led to fewer people spending on eating out.
The hospitality sector as a whole has been struggling to bounce back after the pandemic, only to be hit with soaring energy bills and inflation.
Several chains have also been affected, resulting in brands like Wetherspoons closing branches.
Byron Burger fell into administration last year, with owners saying it would result in the loss of over 200 jobs.
Italian dining chain Prezzo revealed plans to shut 46 restaurants as a result of soaring energy and food costs, putting 810 jobs at risk.
It comes after TRG, which also owns Wagamama, revealed that it will be shutting around 40 sites by April this year.
Plans will see its entire leisure estate reduce from 116 sites to between 75 to 85.
First announcing the closures back in March 2023, TRG reported widening losses last year and said some of its restaurant chains had been directly impacted by the cost of living crisis.
So far dozens closures have taken place, including Frankie & Bennys, Chiquito and Firejacks sites.
TRG also had to close hundreds of its restaurants as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.
At least 61 Chiquito restaurants were closed in 2020, with the loss of around 1,500 jobs.
READ MORE SUN STORIES
It went on to close 125 of its other restaurants including a raft of Frankie & Benny’s locations.
It also completely shut down its Food and Fuel chain of pubs in London.
Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing [email protected].
Plus, you can join our Sun Money Chats and Tips Facebook group to share your tips and stories.
