Here's what is happening to Warwick's Ask Italian restaurant

The fate of the Ask Italian restaurant in Warwick has now been decided.

The restaurant in High Street, was popular with many residents and was last open before lockdown.

In July it was announced that the Azzuri group, which owns Ask Italian and Zizzi restaurants, would be closing 75 branches.

This came after the company was bought out of administration.

Now it has been confirmed that the Warwick site will be one of the 75 restaurants not reopening.

The pandemic has been named as the reason behind the permanent closure - a reason behind many shops and restaurant operators closing sites across the UK.

A spokesperson from Ask Italian said: "The Covid-19 crisis has had a profound impact on the casual dining sector, bringing many businesses like ours to a standstill.

"Despite being a successful operator, we have had to make some incredibly difficult decisions including the permanent closure of a number of sites.

"It is with deep sadness that we confirm Warwick to be amongst these closures and that we have had to say goodbye to a team of greatly valued employees and their much-loved customers.

"As things stand it was not viable to remain in our existing site but we do hope that one day we will return to the town."

In August the Zizzi restaurant in Kenilworth also closed.