Yo! Sushi confirms plans to close Edinburgh Airport branch as part of restructure

Popular chain will no longer operate out of airport terminal after months of losses as a result of the coronavirus crisis.

Yo! Sushi has announced plans to cut up to 250 jobs and close 19 of its sites – including its outlet at Edinburgh Airport.

The restaurant chain, which has 59 restaurants and 10 concessions across the UK, announced the cuts as part of a Company Voluntary Arrangement (CVA) restructuring process.

Yo! Sushi’s branch on Edinburgh’s Princes Street is not one of the stores marked for closure.

Yo! Sushi at Edinburgh Airport is to close.

The company, which specialises in delivering food to customers using the Japanese style ‘kaiten’ conveyor belt method, said the current climate and “changes in consumer behaviour” meant that rents at some restaurants were unsustainable.

Yo!'s boss, Richard Hodgson, said: “While we have already taken measures to reduce costs, rents remain an issue.

"In the current climate, it's just not viable for us to keep any sites that no longer perform.”

The company also said the CVA will mean it can exit nine sites where it no longer operates but is still responsible for the rent.

Yo! Sushi is taking part in the UK Government's ‘eat out to help out’ scheme, which gives people a discount of up to £10 per head if they dine at a restaurant between Monday and Wednesday during August.

However, Mr Hodgson said: “Like the rest of the sector, we need to take decisive action to adapt to the lasting changes that the covid pandemic has brought about.”

“While it's been a very difficult decision to make and I am very sorry that it will mean losing many of our team members, a CVA has become an essential measure to secure our business for the future, and enable us to protect as many jobs as possible.”

Full list of Yo! Sushi restaurant closures:

1. Bournemouth

2. Brent Cross

3. Canterbury

4. Chelmsford

5. Derby

6. Edinburgh Airport

7. Finchley Road

8. Fulham Broadway

9. Gatwick Airport

10. Glasgow Fort

11. Harrogate

12. Harvey Nichols

13. Richmond

14. Russell Square

15. Southbank

16. Victoria Station

17. Waterloo Station

18. Westfield White City

19. Whiteley Village

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