The owner of a popular tapas restaurant chain has been forced to close another restaurant after being slapped with a notice to leave its premises.

Gravesend’s Rico Sabor has been re-entered by the landlord just weeks after the eatery’s founder, Julian Ramirez, defended his franchise after it was hit with a poor hygiene rating.

A letter stuck to the window on the front door of the business from County Enforcement Limited reads: “To Julian Ramirez, the tenant of all the premises known as and situated at Old Town Hall, Gravesend.

“Pursuant to clause 38 of your lease, dated November 18, 2016, we as authorised agents of the landlord have this day re-entered the premises demised by the said lease and the said lease is thereby determined absolutely.

“Proceedings civil and or criminal will be taken against any party who has entered/or attempts to enter the premises without our prior consent in writing.”

The notice was enforced on Monday, April 17.

Passerbys noted that the restaurant seemed to be being “cleared out” on Wednesday.

When KentOnline approached Mr Ramirez for comment, on the same day, he said he was “having a clear-out following discussions with KCC (Kent County Council)” and the restaurant was to continue as normal.

No mention was made of the notice and he failed to respond to further requests for comment.

In October 2021, Mr Ramirez opened a Rico Sabor in Dover with a heated roof terrace and cocktail lounge at the St James' retail and leisure park.

However, in February it was forced to close after it was served with a notice to leave the premises.

Mr Ramirez opened his Rochester High Street restaurant in 2019, three years after he opened his first Rico Sabor in Gravesend.

In 2022, he branched out with a Mexican eatery, Mexicano, which opened in Rochester just a few doors away from his other business.

However, last month it too was repossessed by the landlord.

Last month, Mr Ramirez’s Rico Sabor Gravesend branch, the first restaurant he opened as a young chef, was scored a one-star food hygiene rating by Gravesham council.

It received low marks after the inspector found out-of-date chicken and seafood, broken lights and a roof leak which was causing water to pool in the kitchen.