Parent firm Fulham Shore shared last month that it planned to shut sites as part of a company voluntary arrangement (CVA) process.

Franco Manca currently runs 70 restaurants but said it has been knocked by “disproportionately high” UK taxes and a lack of business rates relief for restaurants.

The affected restaurants were “no longer sustainable” as a result.

Franco Manca’s CVA proposal received backing from more than 90% of voting creditors.

A CVA is an insolvency procedure that allows a struggling company to strike a deal with its creditors to pay back its debts while still trading.

Which Franco Manca stores will be shutting?

The following Franco Manca sites will shut:

• Battersea
• Bishops Stortford
• Brixton
• Broadway Market
• Bromley
• Cheltenham
• Chiswick
• Didsbury
• Glasgow
• Hove
• Kilburn
• Lincoln
• New Oxford Street
• Plymouth
• Stoke Newington
• Tottenham Court Road

Marcel Khan, chief executive of Fulham Shore, said: “We are grateful for the support shown by our creditors today.

“Franco Manca is a fantastic brand with a strong heritage and loyal customer base.

“With this agreement in place, we will put the business back on a firm footing and press ahead with strengthening our customer offer and performance.”

Paul Berkovi, managing director of Alvarez & Marsal, said: “Today’s vote saw a significant majority of the company’s creditors support the CVA, reflecting constructive engagement across stakeholders.

“Against a challenging backdrop for the sector, this is an important step for Franco Manca, enabling the business to complete its financial restructuring and secure the platform for its operational transformation.”

The Real Greek announces it will be closing down 9 restaurants

Franco Manca is not the only restaurant chain that has announced closures recently, as The Real Greek will be stopping operations at nine of its sites.

A sister restaurant brand to the pizza chain, Fulham Shore, placed The Real Greek into administration.

It was immediately snapped up by Cote owner Karali Group, but announced the closure of nine of its 28 restaurants.

Although more than 100 jobs will be lost, the new owner said it will secure the future of 358 workers.

Paul Berkovi, managing director at administrators Alvarez & Marsal, said: “We have worked closely with The Real Greek’s management team and are pleased to have completed a transaction that secures a future for a restaurant group enjoyed by diners over many years.

“Our immediate focus as administrators will be to provide a smooth transition for the business and to support employees affected by site closures.

“We are grateful to all stakeholders for their constructive engagement throughout this process.”

Are you sad to see Franca Manca shutting down some of its restaurants? Let us know in the poll above or in the comments.

Thames Valley Police issued an update around midday today (Monday, May 5) to say officers are “still appealing for help from the public” following the arson attack.

The blaze happened on a 5G mast close to the dual carriageway of the Eastern Bypass between 11.10pm and 11.35pm last Wednesday (April 29).

No one was injured during the incident, which was located close to the Rosehill and Littlemore roundabout and Sandy Lane West.

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Officers are keen to hear from motorists who were in the area at the time and may have captured crucial evidence.

A spokesperson said: “We are still appealing for help from the public following this arson.

“We are keen for any drivers with dash-cams in the area to check their footage in case they captured anything that could help us.”

People can contact Thames Valley Police by calling 101 or making a report online, quoting the relevant reference number 4326021071.

This is the second time in less than two months that a 5G mast has been set on fire in Oxford after a previous incident brought major disruption to the A40.

The first incident happened when one or more people broke into a compartment of a mast near Cutteslowe Roundabout last month.

They then used an unidentified liquid to start a fire, and again, no one was injured during the incident.

A petition organised by the shop called on the Post Office to reverse its decision and advertise for the job.

In a letter to Mr Barber, Blair McDougall, minister for small business and economic transformation, announced the reversal of the decision.

However, the post office is only being offered the chance to run under a ‘local model’.

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This means the non-profit community shop would have to take on up to 70% of the staffing costs for the Post Office.

The shop previously ran under a ‘community model’, where the bulk of the costs were covered by a government grant.

Matthew Barber, police and crime commissioner, said: “Thanks to the efforts of everyone who backed the local campaign to save East Hagbourne Post Office – there is hope – but the fight isn’t over yet.

“I wrote to the Post Office Minister back in March to raise the impact of the decision not to recruit a new sub-postmaster. I have received confirmation from the Minister that there is some movement, but not a viable solution yet.”

In a letter to Mr Barber Blair McDougall, minister for small business and economic transformation, said: “Post Office Limited has now decided to advertise the opportunity to operate the East Hagbourne branch.”

The community shop, run entirely by volunteers, has hosted the well-used Post Office counter for more than 20 years.

Sally Barksfield, chair of the East Hagbourne Community Shop Committee, said: “They closed us on the resignation of the recent Postmaster, without informing the shop.

“This meant we lost the community grant which supported a dedicated Postmaster.

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“What they then advertised for was a retailer to take on the Post office in the village without consultation with the shop. 

“As we are the only retail business apart from the pub in the village this was farcical.

“This would be under a “local model’ where a retailer must take on the management, liability and staffing of the branch.”

The Post Office placed a notice on March 4 stating that, following the resignation of the postmaster, they “are not looking to replace East Hagbourne Post Office at this time”.

Following the announcement of the closure, MP for Didcot and Wantage, Olly Glover, received dozens of emails from concerned customers, volunteers, and community organisations describing how vital the Post Office and shop are to village life.

The Post Office placed a notice on March 4 stating that, following the resignation of the postmaster, they “are not looking to replace East Hagbourne Post Office at this time”.