A much-loved restaurant and bar will cease trading at the end of the summer, it has been confirmed.

Piccolino, which opened on Moor Gate, Clitheroe, in 2009, will open for the last time on September 5.

Individual Restaurants, the company which runs Piccolino and other popular eateries such as Opera Grill and Bank, was acquired by Iceland supermarkets owner Sir Malcolm Walker at the end of 2020 in a deal reported to be worth more than £40m.

Ice Acquisitions was used to purchase the Individual Restaurants group, an entity owned and controlled by Sir Malcolm and Tarsem Dhaliwal, the group managing director of Iceland.

The grade II-listed building which houses the Italian bar and restaurant underwent a £1.2million makeover more than a decade ago, when the venue was transformed into a 200-cover eaterie.

Individual Restaurants Company has announced it is to close four restaurants within its 28-strong restaurant estate, including some Piccolino and Bar & Grill brands.

The other locations are in York, Manchester and Cheshire. The closures see 140 jobs affected, with the business entering a period of consultation at each of the affected restaurants.

Karen Forrester, executive chairwoman of Individual, said: “The closure of these sites is part of a long-term investment and development plan for the future of Individual Restaurants.

“Our main priority is to keep our people within our Individual Restaurants family by offering opportunities to relocate to other locations, we will be supporting them throughout this process.”

When the deal was struck at the end of last year, Mr Dhaliwal said he was ‘delighted’ that he had been able to secure a ‘solution which safeguards 1,300 jobs’ across the Individual Restaurants group.

Speaking to the industry press, Daniel Smith, joint administrator, said: “Like many restaurant operators, RBG has been severely impacted by the restrictions brought in as a result of COVID-19.

“This successful sale will provide RBG with an opportunity to restructure its business to secure its future for the long term.”

Several East Lancashire locals have reacted to the news, expressing their devastation at Piccolinos’ closure.

One said: “So gutted, I absolutely loved this place”

Another added: “No way. Another nail in the coffin for Clitheroe.”

It is not yet known what the plans are for the impressive building.