Home / Business and Economy / Leon Closes 20 High Street Sites Amid Financial Woes
Leon Closes 20 High Street Sites Amid Financial Woes
16 Jan
Summary
- Leon is closing 20 High Street restaurants due to rising costs.
- The chain is shifting focus to locations like service stations and airports.
- Leon is undergoing a major restructuring after appointing administrators.
Fast-food chain Leon is set to close 20 of its High Street restaurants as part of a significant strategic shift. The decision, announced by boss John Vincent, comes amid increasing business rates and overall cost pressures that have made High Street locations less profitable. The company has reportedly been losing £10m annually.
Original co-founder John Vincent reacquired the company last year. However, the firm recently appointed administrators, initiating a major restructuring impacting 71 restaurants and their 1,000 employees. The focus will now move towards expanding Leon's footprint in non-traditional locations.
Leon plans to increase its presence in service stations, airports, and train stations. This move signals a new direction for the fast-food chain as it navigates financial challenges and seeks more profitable operational environments. The government has stated it is providing support to hospitality businesses to mitigate rising bills.
