Edinburgh jobs at risk as owner of Bella Italia, Cafe Rouge and Las Iguanas makes cuts

Jobs at a major restaurant chain with branches in Edinburgh are at risk as owners plan to make thousands of job cuts after calling in administrators.

The company, which owns Bella Italia, Cafe Rouge and Las Iguanas, said it would close 91 of its 250 restaurants across the UK, cutting 1,909 jobs in total.

It still leaves around 4,050 workers at the company's sites.

The restaurant chain has four restaurants in Edinburgh, with two Bella Italia restaurants on North Bridge and Hanover Street, a Cafe Rouge on Frederick Street and a Las Iguanas on George Street.

The group also has several restaurants in Glasgow and across Scotland.

The board said that entering administration was in the best interest of stakeholders during the "extreme operating environment" it is having to trade through.

It is looking for a new owner, but said that the administration would allow it to end negotiations with landlords, a "critical step" before finding a buyer.

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."

Bosses said that all the offers they have received from potential buyers involved reducing the number of restaurants it runs. The administrators therefore decided to close the sites permanently.

The list of closures include 35 Bella Italia, three Belgo, 32 Cafe Rouge, and 11 Las Iguanas.

It also includes several cafes and bars at airports, six of which are at Heathrow.

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."