A RESTAURANT chain says it is "confident" it will return to Chester city centre "one day".

Yesterday we reported that the Picanha by Fazenda in Newgate Street had permanently shut just 24 hours after the business went into administration as the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic took its toll.

A substantial part of City District Ltd, which trades as the Fazenda Rodizio Bar & Grill alongside sister brand Picanha by Fazenda, had been immediately snapped up by Southern Wind Group Ltd.

However, the Chester restaurant along with Fazenda Birmingham were not included in the deal and 69 staff have been made redundant as a result.

A message to customers on the Picanha by Fazenda expressed sadness over the closure in Chester, but raised hopes the chain could one day return. 

It said: "We are deeply saddened to announce that we are closing the doors of Picanha by Fazenda permanently with immediate effect due to the impact of COVID-19 upon our business.

"It leaves us with a heavy heart that we are unable to welcome you, our guests, to our restaurant in the near future and share the heritage and traditions of South America which we know and love so much.

"Whilst this is a sad time for us, we are confident that we will return to Chester one day and will be able to see you all again.

"If you have a Gift Voucher for Picanha, please don’t worry, you will be able to use them at any of our Fazenda restaurants once we reopen."