Pod cafe chain sold into Azurri as nine locations close

London health food cafe chain Pod has been bought out by the Azzurri group as part of a pre-pack deal after the chain fell into administration on Friday.

The deal with the operators of ASK Italian, Zizzi, Coco di Mama and Radio Alice saves more than 170 jobs across the concept - however administrators confirmed nine Pod sites will close following their appointment on 21 June.

In total 90 people have been made redundant from the firm.

Now operating in 13 sites in the capital under the Azzurri umbrella, the Pod brand was established in 2005 to offer healthy grab and go options.

Damian Webb, one of the Joint Administrators from RSM Restructuring Advisory LLP said: ‘The sale of Pod Foods secures over 170 jobs and ensures the on-going trading of the core Pod business.

"Regrettably this process has led to the closure of nine stores, resulting in 90 redundancies. We will be working closely with the redundancy payments service to assist these employees.'