Handmade Burger CO has fallen into administration with the immediate loss of all 238 jobs affecting 18 restaurants across the UK.
Leonard Curtis insolvency specialists said sales plummeted over recent years across the restaurant chain.
Joint administrator David Griffiths said, “The casual dining market in the UK has experienced significant challenges over the last four years, largely as a result of overcapacity in the sector, which has resulted in a significant number of insolvencies.
“Sales at Handmade Burger Co restaurants have almost halved during this period, which has proved to be unsustainable.
“It is disappointing that circumstances have meant that a sale of the business has not been possible in this case, but our focus now should be on those employees affected by this difficult news.
“We will work hard to provide them with all necessary assistance to claim for monies which remain due to them.”
During 2019 there were 11,280 job losses across the casual dining sector, the most high profile was Jamie Oliver’s empire with a loss of 1,000 jobs.
George Charles, a spokesperson for www.MoneySavingHeroes.co.uk said, “Again, we are seeing another damning indictment of the current state of the high street and the problems it is currently facing, again resulting in the loss of hundreds of jobs.
“2019 wasn’t a great year for the high street and we are beginning to see the repercussions of this; Handmade Burger Company is sadly likely just one of many that will collapse over the coming year. Increased rent for shop space combined with waning consumer confidence is making it impossible for these businesses to operate sustainably.
“The emphasis should be on the employees and how they are going to find new work, because it may not be easy in the unforgiving world of retail. It is an awful time for the retail sector and with Brexit slowly creeping upon us it looks like there will be no respite.
“The casual dining sector is also beginning to show signs of struggle; Pizza Express has had its problems, Jamie Oliver’s Italian has closed and now this. It could be a long year for the casual dining sector with more casualties in line.”
Leave a Comment