Jamie Oliver's UK restaurant chain goes in to administration

Jamie Oliver's restaurant chain, comprising 25 restaurants across the UK has gone in to administration.

On Tuesday, all but three of Jamie’s restaurants closed, resulting in a loss of 1,000 jobs. His three Gatwick Airport venues remain open while administrators seek a buyer, although 300 jobs there are still at risk.

Jamie's Italian, launched in 2008, employs close to 1,300 people in the UK. Also at risk is Fifteen in London and Barbecoa. This isn't the first time the restaurant chain has been threatened: last year, it closed 12 of its 37 sites and made over 600 staff redundant.

The chef, who was propelled into the limelight when he starred in BBC Series "The Naked Chef" in 2000, told The Guardian: “I am deeply saddened by this outcome and would like to thank all of the staff and our suppliers who have put their hearts and souls into this business for over a decade. I appreciate how difficult this is for everyone affected."

“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.

“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 group was reportedly seeking buyers as profits have plummeted in recent years. Last year, reporting losses close to £20m, the chef injected £13m in cash of his own money to save the chain from bankruptcy. KPMG is understood to have been appointed as an administrator for the chain.

The news comes as many other restaurant chains across the UK have suffered losses in the face of rising costs and economic uncertainty.

Update: this article previously stated that Fifteen in Cornwall was also at risk of closure, however this is not the case and both the restaurant and training programme will continue operating as normal.

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