Frankie & Benny's has closed one of its Manchester city centre restaurants amid the chain's ongoing financial difficulties.
The St Ann Street branch, just off St Ann Square, is the first Greater Manchester site to shut since The Restaurant Group - which also owns Chiquito and Garfunkel's - reported last month that it would be closing 100 restaurants in its portfolio.
It was not confirmed at the time which restaurants would be affected but the group said it had identified a number of sites in 'structurally unattractive locations'.
The signature green and red awnings have been stripped from above the door of the St Ann Street branch, and the shadow of the Italian-American restaurant's sign is still just visible on its wooden frontage.
Despite acquiring popular Asian restaurant chain Wagamama in a deal worth £559m, the group reported a £79m first-half loss this year.
A spokesman said: "The casual dining market is facing various headwinds, such as increased property costs, which has impacted certain sites within our leisure portfolio.
"In light of this backdrop, we took the difficult decision to close the Frankie and Benny’s site in St Ann's Square, Manchester.
"However, we are pleased that the majority of staff at this site were redeployed to neighbouring sites."
With regards to the future of the remaining restaurants, he added: "No sites are shutting imminently. We are focused on delivering a great experience to our customers."
The group has previously said closures would be considered on a case-by-case basis when leases come up for renewal.
A spokesman said previously: "We are by no means committing to the closure of all these sites identified.
"The average time to break is over six years, so as and when leases do come up for renewal, we will take a considered and disciplined approach, on a case by case basis."
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