TWO of the North West’s most highprofile businesses are facing contrasting fortunes during the forthcoming football World Cup finals.

The Individual Restaurant Company (IRC), owner of two of Liverpool’s most up-market eateries – Piccolino and Restaurant Bar & Grill – is expecting a downturn in trade.

However, Wigan-based retailer JJB Sports is hoping the month-long tournament will revive its flagging fortunes.

In an otherwise-positive update on the day of its annual general meeting yesterday, IRC said “trading for the first half will be impacted by the performance of the group during this period in June”.

The group operates 22 Piccolino and 11 Bar and Grill restaurants, with Liverpool having one of each brand in Cook Street and Brunswick Street respectively. Both venues have become firm favourites with the city’s business community.

However, it is felt that during the World Cup, particularly the England games, many more people will stay at home or go to pubs and bars to watch matches, rather than eat out.