Manchester United star Juan Mata shuts down his Tapeo and Wine restaurant after Covid-19 lockdown battered finances that already showed £800k of debt
* Tapeo and Wine, on Deansgate in Manchester, won't re-open after Covid crisis
* Mata invested in the Spanish restaurant run by his father and business partners
* It opened in 2016 but accounts showed that debts had mounted up
* A statement released on Tuesday confirmed it would close despite good reviews
Juan Mata's family has been forced to close their tapas restaurant in Manchester after racking up hundreds of thousands of pounds in debt.
The impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the hospitality sector means Tapeo and Wine will be closing its doors just four years after Manchester United's Spanish midfielder opened it.
Despite positive reviews online, accounts filed to Companies House earlier this year showed it had total debts of £772,086 for 2018, up from £593,548 in 2017.
A Manchester tapas restaurant invested in by United star Juan Mata has closed. Mata pictured at Tapeo and Wine on Deansgate in Manchester, which was run by his father
And the enforced closure of the Deansgate restaurant during the coronavirus crisis appears to have finished the business off.
A statement posted online on Tuesday read: 'Adios y gracias!
'Unfortunately, and after five years of trying our best to bring Spain to you, through our food, drinks and service, our restaurant Tapeo and Wine will not be opening its doors anymore.
'We had to take this decision as a result of a number of factors and we thank every single one of you who over the years came and enjoyed with us!
A statement on the restaurant's Instagram account confirmed it will not be opening again
The eatery racked up positive reviews for its food but has been impacted by the Covid-19 crisis. Some of the charcuterie on the menu at Tapeo and Wine, which opened its doors in 2016
'It's been a great ride and we will always be grateful for your love and support!'
The restaurant had operated a takeaway delivery and collection service during lockdown but had not re-opened to diners.
Mata, 32, invested in the restaurant, which was established in 2016 by husband and wife team Natalia Esquerdo and Nacho Perez with backing from Mata's dad Juan Manuel Mata Rodriguez.
The couple left Tapeo and Wine later that year and left the running to Mata Snr and his business partner Jose Manuel Martinez Garcia.
United's Spanish contingent Ander Herrera and David de Gea joined Mata at a star-studded launch party in 2016 and they even hosted Manchester City's Christmas party that year.
The tapas restaurant had re-opened for takeaways only post-lockdown but has now closed
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