Jamie’s Italian to close in Tunbridge Wells

Jamie Oliver is to close six of his UK restaurants, including one in Tunbridge Wells, to focus on international launches.

The British chef is close six of restaurants in Exeter, Cheltenham, Aberdeen, Richmond, Ludgate Hill and Tunbridge Wells.

Oliver’s decision is said to be down to the “pressures and unknowns” of Brexit.

Chief executive of the Jamie Oliver Restaurant Group, Simon Blagden told the Guardian:

“As every restuarant owner knows, this is a tough market and post-Brexit the pressures and unknowns have made it even harder.”

Over 120 employees are set to be affected by the closures – just under 5% of the chains total staff. However, the company is set to offer them alternative jobs at other ‘Jamies Italian’ restaurants.

The chief executive blamed a ‘combination of things’ for the forced closures of the restaurant.

He said: “Because we refuse to compromise on the quality and provenance of our ingredients and our commitment to training and developing our staff.

“We need restaurants that can serve an average of 3,000 covers every week to be sustainable.”