Jobs saved at three Limerick restaurants

THERE’S good news for staff of three local restaurants this week after the parent company of the firm emerged from examinership.

In a move which has saved 200 jobs, the Irish arm of the Cornstore Group, which runs the restaurant of the same name in Thomas Street in Limerick city centre, has been given court protection over a debt of €26.7m.

The group also runs the Coqbull restaurant chain, which also has a branch in Thomas Street and one in Castletroy.

Cornstore founder and chief executive Padraic Frawley has been reinstated as a director of the company after helping secure new investment.

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Mr Frawley said: "It has been a challenging few months for the Cornstore Restaurant group, but I am extremely grateful to Linda Frawley and my senior management team, who have been stoic in keeping positive and remaining resilient during an already tough economic climate for our industry. Together with my executive team and with new funding in place, we look forward to growing from strength to strength this year and beyond, with expansion plans and refurbishments in the pipeline."

Mike Ryan, the director of Cornstore Restaurant and Coqbull said it’s important for people to support local.

"Going the extra mile for our customers has always been a number one priority for us and we will continue to support and give back to the community who has kept us going through the difficult times," he said.

As well as its branches in Limerick, the Cornstore Restaurants group also operates in Cork.