THREE Koh Thai restaurants have been saved in a management buyout, after the chain was placed into administration due to the pandemic.

Like all restaurants across the UK, the Koh brand has taken a battering since regulations were first imposed to combat the rise of Covid-19 earlier this year.

However, Bournemouth's popular Koh Thai restaurant at Poole Hill is set to reopen next week. And branches at Lilliput, Poole, and in Southsea are already trading.

This means 70 jobs have been saved and a popular award-winning Bournemouth name is back in business again.

In a statement released to the Daily Echo, the owners said: "The tough trading conditions brought on by Covid-19, sadly forced Koh into liquidation, but happily the management team have purchased back the restaurants in Bournemouth, Southsea and Lilliput and will continue to run them as the award winning, Koh Thai.

"We are really excited to have reopened as it not only protected 70 jobs but also allowed us to continue to serve the wonderful customers that have supported us so passionately over the years.

"I cannot thank them and our staff enough for all the positive messages of support they sent to us.

"We are also excited to announce that whilst closed we have developed a new exciting menu that highlights both the popular Koh Thai favourites but also now adds a healthier, better value dimension, to the dining experience.

"Apologies that it has taken us so long to return but we look forward to welcoming everyone back in the future."

The Bournemouth Koh Thai is scheduled to reopen at 5pm on Wednesday, October 14.

The three sites were purchased from the liquidators by High Road Thai Restaurants Ltd.

In April members of Dorset’s hospitality industry banded together in an effort to get through the lockdown and emerge with the area as a top national destination.

Around 100 people, representing around 500 venues, signed up to an online community called the Wonky Table.

Andy Lennox, who launched the Koh Thai brand in the last recession, sold the brand in 2018 and went on to found Zim Braai, saw the network grow after a handful of people connected via WhatsApp.

The group is providing advice and support on getting through the crisis and accessing official help.

It has also forged connections with the national body UK Hospitality and is lobbying for the industry.