Media reports over the last year or two have put the chain’s troubles firmly in the spotlight and it seems those troubles have come to an unfortunate end for the some 1300 employees. A scaling back of operations was seen to be the only answer as the well documented plight of the high street has taken down another well known operator.
The management team had seen a departure from its original model as the root to their problems and the want for rapid growth within the booming casual dining sector. However, the move into town centres outside of their original remit saw them unable to replicate that original success and it would seem to lead to their ultimate demise.
Even the highly successful and once well run operations, a star on the high street, has fallen victim of the pressures that many other food and beverage operations have suffered up and down the country. There is hope though for many independent operators as the drive towards, local, sustainable and environmentally friendly seems to be high on the consumers’ agenda. With customers keen on provenance there are openings for well thought out and targeted businesses to fill the voids being left with the potential to take advantage of potential bargain lets as landlords look to avoid rental voids.
