Major Italian restaurant chain forced to close another branch after being hit with ZERO star hygiene rating
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A BRANCH of a major Italian restaurant chain has closed permanently after being hit with a zero star hygiene rating.
The Bella Italia at the Barbican Leisure Park in Plymouth has become the latest branch to shut its doors.
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Bella Italia at the Darlington DL1 complex
Credit: Bella Italia
A statement shared on the chain's website says: "Bella Italia Plymouth, Barbican Leisure, is now closed.
"It is with a heavy heart that we announce the permanent closure of our Bella Italia restaurant in Plymouth.
"We want to take this moment to thank you for your loyalty, your laughter and the many memories you've helped us create over the years."
No immediate explanation was given for the restaurant's closure.
But it comes after it was told urgent improvements were needed following a hygiene inspection in October 2024.
Bella Italia spokesperson said at the time that "immediate corrective actions" had been carried out - and that guest safety is a "top priority".
However, despite this, the restaurant has now closed its doors for good.
It comes just one month after the chain announced it would close its Darlington branch in July.
A spokesperson for the chain paid tribute to the "fantastic" branch staff.
They said: "We can confirm that our restaurant in Darlington will cease trading at the end of our current lease in the first week of July.
"We would like to thank our fantastic team at Darlington who have done an amazing job over the years.
"We would also like to thank our wonderful Darlington guests; we hope to see them again in one of our other north-east restaurants."
Bella Italia remains one of Britain's most popular Italian restaurant chains, with dozens of venues across the UK and Ireland.
Its parent company went into administration in 2020 at the height of the COVID pandemic.
The company would be acquired and re-branded later that year.
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