BOSSES at Caffe Nero plan to appeal for help from landlords after the second lockdown made it “imperative” to reduce pressure on the business.

The business is seeking approval for a company voluntary arrangement (CVA) to reduce its costs.

The coffee chain has two branches in central Bournemouth as well as cafes at Castlepoint, Poole, Christchurch, Ringwood and Lymington.

Chief executive Gerry Ford said: “Like so many businesses in the hospitality sector, the pandemic has decimated trading, and although we had made significant progress in navigating the financial challenges of the first lockdown, the second lockdown has made it imperative that we take further action.”

Caffe Nero runs 800 shops in the UK, employing about 6,000 people. Founded in 1997 by Mr Ford, it has expanded into 11 different countries, with a total of 1,000 stores.

It is the latest in a long list of businesses that have been forced to take drastic measures during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Shoe seller Clarks and Pizza Express are among the other companies to enter CVAs during the period.

Companies like Caffe Nero, which caters to many commuters and office workers, have been especially hard hit during the pandemic.

As many workers continue to use their kitchen tables as their office, and footfall remains low in city centres, “it is unclear how long this will impact Caffe Nero”, the business said.

The CVA will allow it to “better manage its fixed costs moving forward”.

Will Wright and David Costley-Wood, restructuring experts from KPMG, are working on the CVA.

Mr Wright said: “Caffe Nero is an iconic brand on the UK’s high streets with a terrifically loyal customer base.

“However, like many others across the sector, the impact of measures introduced in response to the Covid-19 pandemic has been devastating.

“In putting forward this CVA proposal, the directors have worked hard to strike a fair compromise with stakeholders to provide the flexibility the business urgently needs to get it through the pandemic.”