RESTAURANT Handmade Burger Co has closed in Bournemouth town centre after the chain went into administration.

The eatery at the BH2 complex in the town centre is one of 18 sites across the country that have shut, with an overall loss of 283 jobs.

David Griffiths, Conrad Beighton and Paul Masters of Leonard Curtis Business Rescue & Recovery were appointed joint administrators of the business's trading company The Burger Chain Limited.

A statement from the firm said: "Unfortunately, despite considerable efforts to secure a sale of the company’s business, this has not been possible, and all 18 restaurants have today closed with the loss of 283 jobs."

Joint Administrator David Griffiths said: “The casual dining market in the UK has experienced significant challenges over the last four years, largely as a result of overcapacity in the sector, which has resulted in a significant number of insolvencies.

“Sales at Handmade Burger Co. restaurants have almost halved during this period, which has proved to be unsustainable.It is disappointing that circumstances have meant that a sale of the business has not been possible in this case, but our focus now should be on those employees affected by this difficult news.

"We will work hard to provide them with all necessary assistance to claim for monies which remain due to them.”

The administration is being undertaken by the Birmingham office of Leonard Curtis Business Rescue & Recovery.

The BH2 leisure complex opened in 2017, with a selection of restaurants and an Odeon cinema.

Since then other businesses have moved into units, including a crazy golf course and a virtual reality experience.