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Leon Closes 23 Restaurants After £2.5m Founder Rescue

A £2.5m cash injection sets the course for a smaller chain focused on travel hubs.

Overview

  • Leon confirmed it has permanently shut 23 company-owned restaurants, with franchised outlets unaffected and 43 locations still trading split between 23 franchised and 20 company-run sites.
  • Co-founder John Vincent put about £2.5 million into the business and said the restructure should allow it to exit administration.
  • Administrators BTG Begbies Traynor and Quantuma are publishing a Company Voluntary Arrangement, a formal UK restructuring plan that needs creditor approval at a May 27 vote.
  • The turnaround will focus on airports and London train stations, with former executives Chris Burford and Nick Scovell back to help steady operations.
  • Staff who could not move to other Leon sites were invited to apply at Pret A Manger, and the company has not disclosed how many jobs were affected.