Chesterfield cafe spared as coffee shop chain goes into administration

Massarella Gelaterie Ltd has collapsed into administration and closed all 32 of its outlets.

But a Massarella’s Coffee Shop in The Pavements Shopping Centre in Chesterfield and a Cafe Moda in the Idlewells Shopping Centre in Sutton-in-Ashfield, which is owned by the same company, are not included in the cull.

Director Daniella Massarella said the administration came after the cafes closed on Friday March 20 under government guidelines. Staff wages, holiday pay and redundancy payments would be covered by the government.

Massarella Catering Group also runs several other cafes and restaurants in the region which are unaffected - three outlets in Atkinsons department store in Sheffield city centre, a Massarella restaurant in Meadowhall and two outlets in Barnsley.

Before the coronavirus crisis erupted the company operated more than 120 cafes and restaurants throughout the UK and employed more than 1,000. Other brands include Cafe Zest, Angelica’s Tea and Cake and Caffe Botanico.

The business was founded in 1864 when the family emigrated from Italy to Sheffield.

A spokesman for administrators Redman Nichols Butler said: “On 24 March 2020, Massarella Catering Group Ltd placed its subsidiary company Massarella Gelaterie Ltd into administration.

"Massarella Gelaterie Ltd ran coffee shops in various House of Fraser stores. All locations ceased trading on Friday, 20 March, in line with government guidelines.

"Regrettably due to the current health and economic crisis, Massarella Catering Group Ltd was left with no other option other than to appoint administrators over Massarella Gelaterie Ltd.

"Massarella Catering Group Ltd can confirm that it and its remaining subsidiary companies are unaffected by this administration.”