More than 130 jobs are at risk after two of Manchester's top restaurants went bust.

Artisan and Manchester House in Spinningfields have closed with immediate effect and been put into administration.

The owners Living Ventures Group said in a statement that the venues had suffered under 'difficult trading affecting the sector.'

Jeremy Roberts, CEO of Living Ventures Group, said: “Trading at Artisan and Manchester House Bar and Restaurant has been much lower over the summer, and like many other restaurants, we have struggled with balancing rising costs and high rents, together with localised access difficulties.

"I would like to take this opportunity to thank our brilliant and hardworking teams; we are currently contacting all affected employees and looking into available roles in other parts of the Group.”

It is understood 65 employees at Artisan and 74 employees at Manchester House, which both opened in 2013, are at risk although not all will be made redundant as they be offered jobs at other businesses in the group.

Customers with reservations at the restaurants will be contacted and offered alternative options at one of the other restaurants in the Group.

Holders of Manchester House gift cards should contact giftcards@manchesterhouse.uk.com and Artisan gift cards at giftcards@artisan.uk.com.

Duff & Phelps have been appointed as administrators.

In a press release, Living Ventures said they will be working with employees and suppliers to limit impact and disruption.

The Group added that the remainder of its businesses continue to 'trade normally, with revenues for the Full Year to March 2018 at £20m.'

Living Ventures boss Tim Bacon, who died in 2016, ploughed £3million into opening Manchester House in 2013 with the aim of winning a Michelin Star. The restaurant went on to feature in a 2014 BBC documentary entitled 'Restaurant wars' about its supposed rivalry with another of the city's fine dining venues, The French at the Midland Hotel.