The UK’s first branch of the popular American cocktail bar and restaurant chain TGI Friday’s has closed, along with 34 other sites across the country.

TGI Friday’s on Hagley Road, Birmingham opened almost 40 years ago but news of its closure was announced on Tuesday, October 8 with immediate effect.

It follows the announcement that the UK owner of the chain, Thursdays UK Ltd, fell into administration on October 7.

A rescue deal was initially secured with Breal Capital and Calveton UK, who own restaurant chains such as Byron Burgers and Vinoteca, however, more than 1,000 staff members will still be made redundant as not all of the TGI sites were saved.

The new deal will see 51 of TGI Friday’s UK restaurants remain open, including the Birmingham NEC and Walsall locations.

Three sites in total across the West Midlands are amongst the closures, with the Sutton Coldfield and Solihull restaurants also on the list to be axed.

Julie McEwan, Chief Executive of TGI Fridays UK, said: “TGI Fridays is a much-loved brand with a rich heritage. The news today marks the start of a positive future for our business following a very challenging period for the casual dining sector as a whole.

“We look to the future with confidence that the TGI Fridays brand will continue to attract loyal and new guests.

“We are devastated for our colleagues who will be leaving TGIs and thank them for their loyalty and contribution during their time with us. We are doing everything possible to retain our team and support those impacted.

“We would like to thank our team and our loyal guests for supporting us during this transition. We are proud to serve millions of customers across the UK and are committed to continuing to evolve our proposition and to give our guests a great value for money experience that keeps them coming back to enjoy TGI Fridays time and again.”

However, Unite Hospitality, the union that represents workers in bars and restaurants, have slammed TGI Friday’s handling of the closures, calling them a “national disgrace.”

They have claimed that staff members were locked out of their workplaces and are uncertain if they will receive wages and holiday pay.

When asked about these allegations, TGI Fridays did not comment. Information about how employees who have been made redundant can claim for statutory redundancy pay, arrears of pay, compensatory notice pay and holiday pay from the Insolvency Service can be found on the Government website.

Speaking on the new deal, a spokesperson for the new owners, Breal and Calveton added: “We are delighted to be working with such an enthusiastic and committed Management Team to both modernise the business and capitalise on the heritage of this iconic brand.”