Restaurant chain Gusto Italian on ‘verge of collapse’

Gusto has announced the closure of its Alderley restaurant.

The owners are closing six of its restaurants as part of a deal that will lead to around 190 redundancies. The group currently operates 13 venues.

Cherry Equity Partners, the proprietors of Latin American restaurant brand Cabana, will acquire the majority of Gusto. Bosses say the transaction will ensure that seven flagship Gusto restaurants remain open.

Paul Moran, CEO of Gusto Restaurants, said: “We are profoundly sorry to see six of our restaurants close and are tremendously grateful for the support of our staff and our loyal customers at these locations over the years.”

The chain boasts several north-west locations in Alderley Edge, Cheadle Hulme and Knutsford, along with a Manchester city centre restaurant. Additionally, it operates sites in Birmingham, Leeds, Cookridge in Leeds, Edinburgh, Heswall in the Wirral, Liverpool, Newcastle, Nottingham and Oxford.

Gusto, established in Cheshire in 2005 by Jeremy Roberts and the late Tim Bacon as a new incarnation of Est Est Est, has been recognised as Italian Restaurant of the Year at the prestigious PAPA Industry Awards by the Pizza, Pasta and Italian Food Association.

Gusto’s insolvency is the latest blow to the high street following the government’s hike in Employees National Insurance which has also hit all UK charities.