A Mexican restaurant chain funded by a former Masterchef winner is shutting its Kent store.

Wahaca, which is based at Bluewater in the lower plaza is closing a third of its restaurants, including the Greenhithe branch.

The decision comes as the firm, which was founded in 2006, is affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, with rent increasing and the number of sales and people visiting sites decreasing.

It was founded by former Masterchef winner Thomasina Miers and Mark Selby and announced today 10 of its 28 sites will be closing.

In an email to staff they said they intended to "try and save jobs wherever possible".

Sites in London, Manchester, Liverpool and Bristol are also closing.

Wahaca said it is considering a Company Voluntary Arrangement (CVA) restructuring deal in order to facilitate its cost-saving plan.

The announcement comes after a number of dining chain rivals, such as Byron Burger and Pizza Express, have announced permanent closures in the aftermath of the lockdown.

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