Ashby's Ask Italian restaurant re-opened this week as part of a fresh investment package from the parent company's new investors.

Ask was shut for almost seven months following the introduction of the Government's Coronavirus lockdown in March.

But then their owners Azzurri Group went into administration before being sold to TowerBrook Capital Partners.

It was a move that will keep 225 shops and restaurants open and maintain around 5,000 jobs.

TowerBrook, with headquarters in London and New York, has committed over £70million to restructure the balance sheet and provide capacity for future growth.

It means restaurants like Ask in Ashby have finally been able to re-open with Covid restrictions in place.

Ian Webberley, general manager of the Derby Road venue, told Ashby Nub News: "We re-opened on Tuesday, all the safety measures are in place, and we're ready to rock 'n roll.

"In March, we closed when lockdown came in. Ashby's Ask was one of a number that were closed all over the country.

"But the new investors were keen to get restaurants open in the places that were not as city-based.

"On top of that, Ashby was considered one of their best venues.

"It was a great restaurant with great people and great customers.

"Ashby is thought of as a great site to be at.

"Now some of the so-called 'satellite' restaurants like Ashby are slowly but surely re-opening.

"We're still the same brand, still Ask Italian. It's only the investment company that's changed.

"As in what we do, how we do it and who we are, and what we serve, that hasn't changed."

Ian said the reason why it has taken so long to re-open is because of the change of ownership at parent company level.

"Some of it was to do with the economic climate, which is still very much uncertain, especially when you're opening up in the middle of a pandemic," he added.

"But I think it's a good thing and looking at the bookings we've got, the ones that have come in since Tuesday, I think people are glad to see us back.

"We have the legislative restrictions in place with sanitiser stations.

"We have a one system for staff, it's quite a small restaurant anyway and there has been been a considerable reduction in tables. And all the menus are disposable.

"It'a a lot more compact and bijou! But we're still offering the same great product.

"We're also trying to make sure that the staff and chefs are as safe as the public are. We don't want people crossing over in the kitchens, that sort of thing.

"We have a duty of care while making sure the dishes are what we expect. It means we can't serve some of the dishes we used to - but they're on the backburner until this all goes away and we get back to normal life."

Steve Holmes, CEO of Azzurri Group, said recently: "The COVID-19 crisis has had a profound impact on the casual dining sector, bringing many businesses like ours to a standstill.

"Despite being a successful operator, the immediate loss of revenue during lockdown meant that we have had to make some incredibly difficult decisions to protect the business for the long term.

"It is with deep sadness that this process will result in the permanent closure of a number of sites and that we must say goodbye to greatly valued employees across our brands.

"Looking forwards, TowerBrook is a strong new partner who shares our ambitions for the future.

"Their additional investment has enabled us to preserve the majority of our restaurants, stores and jobs and I am confident that, under TowerBrook's ownership, Azzurri will navigate the period ahead successfully. We look forward to welcoming customers back in the near future and to our next chapter with optimism."