A POPULAR high street chain is set to close its two Barnsley restaurants after the coronavirus pandemic ‘significantly impacted’ business.

The Restaurant Group - which owns Italian-American chain Frankie and Benny’s - warned last month that scores of its restaurants would not be reopening their doors.

And this week, creditors voted in favour of a restructuring deal that would see 125 branches axed.

Its two restaurants in Barnsley - at Stairfoot, and Cortonwood - are no longer listed on the firm’s website, and so are expected to close.

In an email to managers, the company said: “Many sites are no longer viable to trade and will remain closed permanently. The Covid-19 crisis has significantly impacted our ability to trade profitably, so we’ve taken the tough decision to close these restaurants now.”

It’s believed some closed branches may reopen as Wagamama, also owned by the group.