The late Antonio Carluccio

Italian restaurant and deli Carluccio’s is the latest high street victim of coronavirus.

The chain has called in insolvency group FRP Advisory to explore its options.

More than 2,000 jobs are at risk at 71 restaurants.

It’s hoped staff will be “laid-off” to allow them access to the Government’s Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme that pays up to 80pc of workers’ salaries.

Staff expressed anger they were only given half their salary for March.

However, CEO Mark Jones is understood to have foregone his entire salary for the month.

The Italian chain was founded in 1991 by the late chef Antonio Carluccio.

Geoff Rowley, joint administrator and partner at FRP, said:

“We are operating in unprecedented times and the issues currently facing the hospitality sector following the onset of Covid-19 are well documented.

“In the absence of being able to continue to trade Carluccio’s, in the short term, we are urgently focused on the options available to preserve the future of the business and protect its employees.

“As this fast-moving situation progresses, we will remain in regular communication with all employees and key stakeholders, and will provide a further update in due course.”