Tens of thousands of restaurants face permanent closure as a result of lockdown, industry leaders have warned.The gloomy prediction was made in an open letter to the Prime Minister calling for more support for the hospitality sector.The plea has been signed by the bosses of more than 90 restaurant chains including Wagamama, Pret A Manger and Itsu.They wrote: “Without Government support to help restaurants to generate revenue and cover costs, tens of thousands of restaurants may be forced to permanently close their doors in the coming months.”They are asking Boris Johnson for tax breaks and financial support to be extended until social distancing rules are no longer needed.Pressure is mounting on the Government to reduce the 2m rule to 1m -.