THE owner of a Knutsford based pub company has said it is ‘business as usual’ after one of the founders announced he had left the firm following three site closures.

Paul Newman, co-founder of the New Moon Company, announced his departure from the restaurant empire in a Facebook post on Friday night just a week after The Bronx in Princess Street closed its doors.

Partnered with Dave Mooney, the pair opened a number of restaurants across the north west including Casa Matta in Weaverham and The Mockingbird in Chester which have both permanently ceased trading this week.

Dave Mooney told the Guardian that the business restructure means that the company will continue to trade but with a focus on the five remaining gastro pubs.

"We wanted to take the business forward and this will enable us to do so in the future," he said.

“We have had discussions with outside parties. They came in and did a review of the whole business. They said we have to get rid of the loss making sites, Casa Matta and The Mockingbird, which rather sadly resulted in a couple of redundancies.

“The other five, The Old Sessions House, Beef and Pudding, The Lord Binning, The Montgomery and The Old Blind School are thriving.

“As a result of the restructure, Paul decided he didn’t want to be involved going forward. We will be much leaner and stronger going forward.”

Paul insisted via social media that the split has been amicable, saying: “Just to be clear, David Mooney is a legend and we are mates and we will work together again in the future.”

The pair have opened eight establishments across the region since 2011, with the latest opening in Princess Street in September 2015.

The Bronx Bar and Pizzetteria closed down just two weeks ago due to a ‘staffing shortage’ just a week before Paul announced his departure.

In August 2015 the Guardian conducted an interview with the pair, who revealed plans to expand the business across the country.

Members of staff thanked Paul on Facebook. Lee Edwards, assistant manager at The Old Sessions House, said: “I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. I’m going to miss you and thank you for everything you have done for me. You’re truly and inspiration to people within this industry.”

Andy Stones added: “Super best wishes to you Paul. I can’t thank you enough for everything you’ve done for me over the years, it really is greatly appreciated and I’m absolutely certain whatever you do will be fantastic.”