Jamie Oliver's restaurant chain has announced it will cut 12 sites as part of a restructure – but its Norwich eatery will stay put.

Jamie Oliver Restaurant Group, which has a Jamie's Italian restaurant in the Royal Arcade in Norwich city centre, has said it will close restaurants at Bath, Bristol, Bluewater, Chelmsford, Greenwich, Harrogate, Kingston, Milton Keynes, Piccadilly Diner, Reading, St Albans and Threadneedle St as part of a company voluntary arrangement (CVA).

The remaining 25 sites and international busienss will be unaffected and continue to trade normally.

Jon Knight, chief executive of the Jamie Oliver Restaurant Group, said: 'This was a not an easy decision but it's a crucial step to ensure our strong and much-loved brand can continue to serve our loyal customers.

'We will look to redeploy as many staff as possible within the wider restaurant group.

'All staff impacted will be paid fully and all our obligations to them fulfilled.

'We're incredibly grateful to the dedication and hard work of every single member of staff.'

The Italian chain follows burger restaurant Byron in entering a CVA, a process by which companies pay creditors an agreed lower amount.