Popular UK restaurant chain shuts NINE locations in major brand shake-up
The move comes as takeaway giant Deep Blue Restaurants, which is the largest in the UK, has seen profits plummet in recent years.
Now it is hoping to re-invest in another of its major chains.
Deep Blue Restaurants bought the popular 96-year-old chain Harry Ramsden's in 2019 and is shifting its focus on to improving those restaurants.
Between October 2024 and May 2025 it closed nine of its restaurants and now owns 16 Deep Blue restaurants and eight Harry Ramsden's eateries.
Money made from the sale of its sites were re-invested back in to major Harry Ramsden restaurants including a large one in Brighton.
The news will no doubt be welcome to bosses at the company after the restaurant owners saw turnover drop by 2.5 per cent at the end of 2024.
Despite securing £5.57m in debt funding between October 2024 and February 2025, the chain has continued with its plan to focus on its collection of Harry Ramsden establishments The Caterer reported.
Chief executive James Fleming wrote in its accounts: 'As in prior years, global events, the cost of living crisis and food cost inflation continued to present headwinds to trading in the first three quarters of FY 2025.
'Despite this, performance has been robust. Looking at the sites on a like for like basis (to account for the disposal of some stores) the group is trading in line with the budget set at the start of the year.
'Continued success with the franchising and licensing of the Harry Ramsden's brand has further driven revenue and profitability across the group. Management continue to focus on developing this element of the business, and there have been further new contract wins into 2025.'
It comes as a branch of Bella Italia in Plymouth has been forced to close just months after it was hit with a zero food hygiene rating and ordered to make urgent improvements.
But it has now shut too and a message to customers on the chain's website said: 'Bella Italia Plymouth, Barbican Leisure, is now closed.'
It added: 'It is with a heavy heart that we announce the permanent closure of our Bella Italia restaurant in Plymouth. We want to take this moment to thank you for your loyalty, your laughter and the many memories you've helped us create over the years.'
It directed customers to visit the next nearest Bella Italia, in Exeter, or 'sister-brand' Frankie and Benny's, also at the Barbican Leisure Park.
The closure is unrelated to the recent hygiene rating. A Bella Italia spokesperson said: 'We are saddened by the closure of our popular restaurant in Plymouth. Unfortunately, the lease on this location expired and, despite our best efforts, new terms could not be agreed upon.
The news will no doubt be welcome to bosses at the company after the restaurant owners saw turnover drop by 2.5 per cent at the end of 2024
'This decision is unrelated to an EHO rating, which concerned issues with the building itself and not hygiene standards.
'We would like to thank our fantastic Plymouth team, who have done an amazing job over the years. Where possible, team members have been offered positions at nearby restaurants either within the Bella Italia brand or elsewhere within The Big Table Group.
'We would also like to express our heartfelt thanks to our wonderful guests in Plymouth. We hope to see them again soon at one of our other Bella Italia restaurants. Of course, they are warmly welcome at Frankie & Benny's Plymouth, located less than a minute's walk from Bella.
'This particular restaurant has served our guests for many years and has been a much-loved part of the community. While it's always difficult to say goodbye, we're actively exploring options for new locations and hope to return to the area in the future.'
The Bella Italia eatery at the Barbican Leisure Park has announced that it is now permanently closed after their lease expired and new terms could not be agreed.
The restaurant has operated at the Cattedown attraction for more than 10 years and survived a huge cull of outlets, which saw the Derry's Cross Bella Italia restaurant close, in 2020.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Independent
12 minutes ago
- The Independent
‘It's time to pay up', says Starmer in late payments crackdown
Firms which persistently pay their suppliers late are set to face fines worth potentially millions of pounds as the Prime Minister warned that 'it's time to pay up'. Sir Keir Starmer has said 'too many hardworking people are being forced to spend precious hours chasing payments' in a process which he described as 'exhausting'. As part of a drive to support small businesses, the Government is set to unveil plans to give the small business commissioner bolstered powers to fine large companies which persistently pay their suppliers late. The commissioner will also receive new powers to enforce a rule that customers must pay their supplier within 30 days of receiving a valid invoice, unless otherwise agreed, with spot checks to help identify breaches. Upcoming legislation will also introduce maximum payment terms of 60 days, reducing to 45 days. 'From builders and electricians to freelance designers and manufacturers — too many hardworking people are being forced to spend precious hours chasing payments instead of doing what they do best – growing their businesses,' Sir Keir said. 'It's unfair, it's exhausting and it's holding Britain back. 'So, our message is clear, it's time to pay up. 'Through our small business plan, we're not only tackling the scourge of late payments once and for all, but we're giving small business owners the backing and stability they need for their business to thrive, driving growth across the country through our plan for change.' The crackdown on late payments is part of a wider Government package and sits alongside a move to pump £4 billion of financial support into small business start-ups and growth. This is set to include £1 billion for new firms, with 69,000 start-up loans and mentoring support. 'This country is home to some of the brightest entrepreneurs and innovative businesses in the world, and we want to unleash their full potential by giving them back time and money to do what they do best – growing our local economies,' Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said. 'Our small business plan – the first in over a decade – is slashing unnecessary admin costs, making it easier for businesses to set up shop and giving SMEs (small and medium-sized enterprises) the financial backing they need.' Andrew Griffith, the Conservative shadow business secretary, said: 'Cracking down on late payments will be welcome for small business but will mean nothing for the 218,000 businesses that have closed under Labour. 'The reality for businesses under Labour is a doubling of business rates, a £25 billion jobs tax and a full-on strangulation of employment red tape. 'Only the Conservatives are on the side of the makers and will support businesses across Britain to create jobs and wealth.'
The Guardian
12 minutes ago
- The Guardian
Labour says firms will be penalised for late payments to suppliers
Keir Starmer has warned businesses who persistently delay payments to their suppliers that it is 'time to pay up' as the government prepares to impose fines and penalties on repeat offenders. In what Labour has billed as the toughest crackdown on late payments in a generation, the business secretary, Jonathan Reynolds, will say on Thursday that the changes will slash a cost to the economy that has escalated to £11bn a year. As many as 38 businesses shut down each day partly owing to late payments, the government said, hurting tradespeople, shopkeepers, startup founders and family-run firms. The planned changes will include handing the small business commissioner powers to impose fines, potentially worth millions of pounds. Established in 2016 to tackle late payments, the watchdog will also be able to carry out spot checks, verify claims and impose deadlines to clear a backlog of disputes. As part of a wider Labour drive to provide more support for small businesses, Reynolds will also announce startup loans for 69,000 companies worth £4bn 'to inspire the next generation of entrepreneurs and small business owners'. The move is backed by the prime minister and the chancellor, Rachel Reeves, who is keen to focus on rebooting the economy after two consecutive months of negative growth and mounting speculation about tax rises. According to the Office for National Statistics, the economy contracted by 0.1% in May after a 0.3% monthly fall in April. Sir Keir said it was important for the government to support small- and medium-sized firms, which employ 60% of the workforce and generate £2.8tn in turnover. 'From builders and electricians to freelance designers and manufacturers, too many hardworking people are being forced to spend precious hours chasing payments instead of doing what they do best, growing their businesses. 'It's unfair, it's exhausting and it's holding Britain back. So, our message is clear: it's time to pay up.' Reynolds is expected to say legislation will include maximum payment terms of 60 days before a reduction after an introductory period to 45 days, 'giving firms certainty they'll be paid on time'. Sign up to Business Today Get set for the working day – we'll point you to all the business news and analysis you need every morning after newsletter promotion Ministers said last September that they would consult businesses about the most effective way to tackle a 'culture of late payment' after several attempts by previous Tory administrations to toughen existing codes of conduct. Reynolds will say new laws were needed to give the commissioner extra powers and force large companies to be more transparent about how they pay subcontractors and suppliers. As part of the plan, audit committees will be required to scrutinise payment practices at board level, 'placing greater pressure on large firms to show they're treating small suppliers fairly backed by mandatory interest charges for those who pay late'. The small business minister, Gareth Thomas, said: 'I hear all too often about businesses who just don't have the cash needed to start up or grow. Today, we've announced measures as part of our plan for change to tackle all of those issues and beyond.'
The Sun
12 minutes ago
- The Sun
Satander cuts more than 2,000 UK jobs — with more potentially on the way
SANTANDER has cut more than 2,000 UK jobs as part of major restructuring — with more redundancies potentially on the way. Boss Mike Regnier said the cuts are part of a push to simplify operations and invest in tech, as more customers move to online banking. Last October, the bank, which has used TV's Ant and Dec in its ads, had announced its intention to cut more than 1,400 jobs. It then warned a further 750 were at risk after revealing in March it was closing 95 branches and reducing hours at 50 sites. Its Spanish parent firm recently struck a £2.65billion deal to acquire rival TSB, raising speculation about further job losses and branch closures. Mr Regnier said no decisions have been made as the deal is not yet finalised, but it is expected to be complete by early next year. The bank reported a five per cent drop in pre-tax profits to £764million for the first half of 2025. Meanwhile, HSBC revealed a 26 per cent drop in pre-tax profits for the same period. It blamed the fall on trade tensions and a £1.6billion hit from its Chinese investments, as well as selling off its operations in both Canada and Argentina. HSBC has saved £524million as part of its cost- cutting plan, targeting £1.1billion annually by 2027. Boss Georges Elhedery said the bank has started reviews of its retail banking businesses in Australia, Indonesia and Sri Lanka. 2 HMRC REFUNDS MORE than 500,000 people have claimed refunds for overpaid tax on pension withdrawals since Pension Freedoms began in 2015, HMRC figures show. Almost £1.5billion has been returned to those overcharged after being given an 'emergency tax code' when cashing in lump sums. As retirees must fill out forms to get refunds sooner, critics say the process prioritises HMRC convenience over those affected. BEER SAMPLES PUB giant Greene King is offering samples of a new beer in three-inch glasses so punters can try before they buy. Drinkers can request a taster of the brewer's Hazy Day Fruity IPA to decide if it's for them before paying out for a full pint. It comes after a poll found that 70 per cent of pubgoers do not ask to taste an beer before paying — with nearly a third of adults under 28 too nervous to ask. SAINSBURY'S BANK SALE SAINSBURY'S has taken another major step in winding down its banking arm — selling its car and home insurance business to Allianz and its travel money operations to Fexco Group. It follows last year's sale of loans, mortgages and savings to Natwest, as Sainsbury's shifts focus to its groceries. Thousands of insurance customers on auto-renew policies will be transferred to Allianz from November and travel money kiosks will stay open under Fexco. Pet and life insurance are Sainsbury's only products left but are set to be sold.
