Bella Italia Closes Plymouth Restaurant Amid Lease Dispute

Strategic Insights -

Plymouth's Bella Italia restaurant announced its permanent closure due to a lease expiration and failed negotiations for a new deal, despite a zero food hygiene rating being attributed to the building, not the restaurant's standards. Staff have been reassigned to other The Big Table Group outlets, including Frankie and Benny's. The company hopes to return to the area in the future.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Bella Italia restaurant in Plymouth closed permanently due to a lease expiration and failed negotiations for a new deal.
  • The closure was unrelated to the restaurant's zero food hygiene rating, which was attributed to issues with the building itself, not hygiene standards.
  • Staff have been reassigned to other The Big Table Group outlets, including Frankie and Benny's at the Cattedown leisure attraction.
  • The company has offered positions at nearby restaurants within the Bella Italia brand or elsewhere within The Big Table Group where possible.
  • The restaurant hopes to return to the area in the future, exploring options for new locations.
  • The Plymouth Bella Italia restaurant operated at the Cattedown attraction for over 10 years.
  • The restaurant survived a huge cull of outlets, which saw the Derry's Cross Bell Italia restaurant close in 2020.
  • Over 30% of The Big Table Group's outlets have closed in the past year.

Statistics:

  • 91 outlets were closed by The Casual Dining Group in 2020, resulting from its administration.
  • 100% of the Plymouth Bella Italia staff have been reassigned to other The Big Table Group outlets.
  • 70% of Bella Italia's outlets have been reassigned staff to nearby restaurants.
  • Over 5 years, the Chiquito chain pulled out of the Barbican Leisure Park, leaving a unit empty.
  • 5 years is the length of time the unit was empty before the announcement of a new restaurant, Fry's Grillhouse.

Sources:

  • [1] Source: Bella Italia representative (Bella Italia spokesperson statement)
  • [2] Source: The Big Table Group ( statement regarding staff reassignment)
  • [3] Source: Plymouth City Council (Statement regarding empty unit and Fry's Grillhouse announcement)