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Jamie Oliver’s Australian restaurant chains have collapsed, with the company being placed in the hands of voluntary administrators on Monday.
Oliver, who bought back his Jamie’s Italian restaurants from failed hospitality group Keystone two years ago, has been forced to close his Canberra restaurant – leaving staff with no warning and no reason, the Canberra Times reports. The remaining five sites, in the Sydney CBD, Parramatta, Brisbane, Perth, and Adelaide, will continue to operate, salvaged by a last-minute sale to Brisbane-based Hallmark Group.
In a statement via social media the Canberra restaurant said: ‘This is pretty sad news for the staff but Jamie’s Italian has closed suddenly this morning and it looks like it won’t be reopening anytime soon.’
‘The remaining restaurants in Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, Parramatta and Adelaide are to remain open.
‘The Canberra restaurant is the only one in Australia to shut, with no reason given for its closure.’
Earlier this year, it was revealed that Jamie’s companies were in serious debt. High Court documents revealed Jamie’s company owes over $52 million in overdrafts and loans. It is also $73 million in debt with creditors including landlords and suppliers, and staff are owed $3.89 million.
The celebrity chef is reportedly $125 million in debt.
This article originally appeared on New Idea.
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