1,000 jobs will be lost
Jamie Oliver's restaurant group has gone into administration, leading to the loss of 1,000 jobs.
The group includes Jamie's Italian, Barbecoa and Fifteen. 22 of the 25 restaurants in the group have now closed. In the short term, two Jamie's Italian restaurants, and Jamie Oliver's Diner at Gatwick Airport will remain open.
KPMG have been appointed as administrators.
"I’m devastated that our much-loved UK restaurants have gone into administration," said Oliver in a tweet. "I am deeply saddened by this outcome and would like to thank all of the people who have put their hearts and souls into this business over the years. "
https://twitter.com/jamieoliver/status/1130796738292408320
"I would also like to thank all the customers who have enjoyed and supported us over the last decade, it's been a real pleasure serving you," he continued in a statement.
"We launched Jamie's Italian in 2008 with the intention of positively disrupting mid-market dining in the UK High Street, with great value and much higher quality ingredients, best-in-class animal welfare standards and an amazing team who shared my passion for great food and service. And we did exactly that."
The Unite union called the job losses a "devastating blow for the chain's hardworking and loyal workforce".
"Restaurants are not being helped by the current economic uncertainty, although those businesses like Jamie Oliver's that dashed for expansion in recent years seem particularly precarious. As ever, it is the workers at the restaurant and in the supply chain who bear the heavy cost of boardroom decisions."
Jamies Italian was launched in 2008, with its first location in Oxford. At the height of its success, it has 42 locations across the UK.
