ASK Italian will not reopen after Covid

ASK Italian's restaurant in Fore Street has permanetently closed and will not reopen following the Covid pandemic.

In a message on social media, ASK said: "The Covid-19 crisis has hit the restaurant sector hard and we've had to make some incredibly difficult decisions. It is with great sadness that we confirm ASK Italian Hertford is now closed. ASK Italian Stevenage is now your closest restaurant".

The restaurants owner, The Azzuri Group, was recently bought out of administration by American investment firm Tower Brook Capital Partners, in a £70 million deal that TBCP says will "protect 5,000 jobs". In July the company announced that it would be closing 75 branches, with up to 1200 workers losing their jobs.

Azzuri Group chief executive Steve Holmes said: "The Covid-19 crisis has had a profound impact on the casual dining sector, bringing many businesses like ours to a standstill. Despite being a successful operator, the immediate loss of revenue during lockdown meant that we have had to make some incredibly difficult decisions to protect the business for the long-term."

Last month Cafe Rouge owner The Casual Dining Group went in to administration, resulting in the closure of the popular Parliament Square branch. The company has since has been bought out of administration by private equity firm Epiris, who have rebranded the business as The Big Table.

The Fore Street branch of Prezzo remains shut following lockdown, although the restaurant's website says it will open in "late Summer".