A popular Italian chain restaurant has announced the closure of its Bolton branch.

ASK Italian, in Middlebrook retail park, has now closed meaning residents will have to go to Manchester to visit their nearest restaurant.

The announcement comes as many restaurants and cafes struggle to stay afloat, despite efforts such as the Eat Out to Help Out scheme which ran through August.

In an email to customers, the restaurant chain said: "The covid-19 crisis has hit the restaurant sector hard and we've had to make some incredibly difficult decisions.

"It is with deep sadness that we confirm ASK Italian Bolton is now closed.

"We'd like to thank you for your regular custom and let you know that ASK Italian Manchester is now your closest restaurant."

On July 17 it was announced that the Azzuri Group, who own Ask Italian and Zizzi, were being taken over by investment firm TowerBrook Capital Partners, a move which saw the closure of 75 of its restaurants.

This move put 1,200 jobs at risk, but ensured that 255 restaurants could reopen and 5,000 jobs were protected.

In July, Steve Holmes, the chief executive of Azzurri Group, which also owns the Coco di Mama and Pod fast-food chains, said the Covid-19 crisis had had “a profound impact on the casual dining sector, bringing many businesses like ours to a standstill”.

“Despite being a successful operator, the immediate loss of revenue during lockdown meant that we have had to make some incredibly difficult decisions to protect the business for the long term,” he said.

“It is with deep sadness that this process will result in the permanent closure of a number of sites and that we must say goodbye to greatly valued employees across our brands.

“Looking forwards, TowerBrook is a strong new partner who shares our ambitions for the future.

“Their additional investment has enabled us to preserve the majority of our restaurants, stores and jobs and I am confident that, under TowerBrook’s ownership, Azzurri will navigate the period ahead successfully.”