Mersey Reporter - #Merseybites #News

THE French style restaurant chain has closed 8 restaurants across the UK with immediate effect, including the 2 North West restaurants:- Southport and Preston, after the company was sold out of administration. This is yet another huge blow to the Seaside Town of Southport which has been hit extremely hard ever since the Covid Lockdowns. Now, with the National Insurance and the National Minimum Wage increases, announced in the Chancellors budget in 2024, this could be the start of many closures to come.

We are told that staff were shocked to find out that Bistrot Pierre had shut down the Southport Restaurant with immediate effect.

On Facebook the management company said:- "It is with great sadness that we announce the permanent closure of Bistrot Pierre Southport with immediate effect. The Bistrot Pierre brand is now under new ownership and will continue to operate in 10 locations. Please see our website for more details. We would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your support over the years."

What had puzzled many in the Town Center is that the outdoor furniture and advertising boards are still outside the restaurant on Lord Street, so quick was the closure.

Administrators Interpath Advisory said they would be providing support to those impacted:- "as a matter of priority."

In a statement to the media Chief Executive of Bistrot Pierre, Nick White, said that the planned increases around National Insurance and the National Minimum Wage to come into effect in April 2025 means it was impossible for some of the chain's smaller sites to keep trading. The other sites that have been closed include restaurants in:- Birmingham, Mere Green, Newport, Kidderminster, Leamington Spa, and Coventry.

The closures come 2 months after Cherry Equity Partners backed the management buyout of the Cabana Latin American restaurant chain.

Are you affected by this closure? if yes, please get in contact and let our Newsrron know what help you are being offered to you,,,