Villandry restaurants closed as administrators called in

Villandry's two grand cafés in central London have closed after the company called in administrators.

BDO LLP have been appointed joint administrators to the company, which had sites in Great Portland Street and St James'.

A statement posted to Villandry's website reads: "Martha Thompson and Sarah Rayment of BDO LLP were appointed joint administrators of Villandry Restaurant Foodstore Limited (‘the Company') on 9 August 2018.

"The affairs, business and property of the Company are now being managed by the Joint Administrators."

Last week it was reported that the chain, run former Le Pain Quotidien director Philippe Le Roux, was searching for a buyer following the doubling of rent at its Great Portland Street site, a 16% increase at St James' and the loss an outlet at Biscester Village, near Oxford, which had accounted for 47% of turnover.

The company's last filed accounts, for the year to 31 March 2017, outlined cost reduction measures as it reported a pre-tax loss of £1.5m.

Villandry investors seeking buyer after flagship site's rent doubles>>

Number of restaurants in Britain falls with almost two closures a week>>

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