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Another Jamie Oliver restaurant closes as Fifteen Cornwall shuts doors with loss of 100 jobs


Another of Jamie’s Fifteen restaurants has closed (Picture: PA)

Amid financial strife in Jamie Oliver’s restaurant empire, another one of his named resturants, Fifteen Cornwall, has been forced to close with 100 people losing jobs.

While the chef has no financial involvement in the business and the noshery in Watergate Bay was operated under a franchise agreement, it remained one of the last outposts of his namesake restaurants.

It’s been reported around 70 people at the restaurant and a further 30 working at the Cornwall Food Foundation charity have lost their jobs. The staff were told of the closure this afternoon, with Fifteen releasing a statement and stating trading would cease with immediate effect.

‘We are deeply saddened to announce that today Fifteen Cornwall will close and cease trading immediately,’ the restaurant’s Facebook wrote today.

Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall and Prince Charles, Prince of Wales pose with local students of Fifteen Cornwall in 2014 (Picture: Getty Images)

‘We are profoundly sorry for the hurt, loss and distress the announcement will undoubtedly cause.

‘We are extremely grateful to all our loyal customers, supporters and amazing suppliers and to the partners, staff and trainees that have made Fifteen Cornwall and the Cornwall Food Foundation so special for almost 14 years. Big love x.’

In a statement on its website, it elaborated further: ‘The board of directors for Fifteen Cornwall and the trustees of Cornwall Food Foundation are deeply saddened to announce that, following an independent financial review, both the restaurant and charity will cease trading today with immediate effect.

‘The boards have taken the necessary steps towards liquidating both companies and our nominated liquidators will communicate with creditors and all affected parties as soon as possible.’

In a statement to Metro.co.uk, Jamie said: ‘I am very surprised and saddened to learn that Fifteen Cornwall and the Cornwall Food Foundation have closed.

Jamie, who emerged in the late 90s as The Naked Chef, has weathered financial loss this year (Picture: WireImage)

‘Both organisations have always been run separately from us but the team has done an amazing job with the trainee programme, training over 200 chefs and reaching so many more along the way – so this is a huge blow. My thoughts are with everyone affected.’

Matthew Thomson, Cornwall Food Foundation, Chief Executive, said: ‘This is an incredibly sad day for everyone and we will try our best to support those who have been impacted. I am profoundly sorry for the hurt, loss and distress this announcement will undoubtedly cause.

‘We are extremely grateful to all our loyal customers and amazing suppliers and to the partners, staff and trainees that have made Fifteen Cornwall and the Cornwall Food Foundation so special for almost 14 years.’

The chef has faced a devastating few months after his business empire collapsed, with all but three of his 25 restaurants going into administration in May.

Fifteen Cornwall – inspired by Jamie’s Fifteen London venture – was opened 13 years ago but wasn’t involved in the recent upheaval of Jamie’s empire, since it’s a separate business tied to the charity.

Jamie’s tough year comes after his empire collapsed, with 1,000 staff members being left out of work, and creditors facing an £83million loss. However, it later emerged paid himself £5.2million last year, months before his business crumbled, down on the £8.6million he was paid the year before.

Speaking about his loss, the Naked Chef star previously said it was, ‘very painful, very very painful’.

‘This is the part of my life that I’ve been building up for 20 years,’ he continued. ‘Obviously it’s been tough but, you know, no regrets really. I did everything I could. I created something really magic, did amazing things, employed loads of people, bought only through food systems that were really positive.

‘We made it, we whooped everyone’s ass, and then, you know. I just couldn’t make it last sustainably, and there’s a million reasons, that I’ve said a million times, as to what our challenge was, but I lost this time.

‘What happened to me was not unique – it’s been happening to small, medium and some large businesses all over the country.’



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