Jamie Oliver closing six restaurants due to Brexit

The famous British chef Jamie Oliver announced that he would close several restaurants from his Jamie’s Italian chain in Great Britain, and he cited Great Britain’s decision to leave the EU as the main reason, as it had led to an increase in prices of ingredients for the Italian dishes he prepared.

Six restaurants will be closed, among them those in Aberdeen, Scotland, and London, close to St Paul’s Cathedral.

– As every restaurant owner knows, this is a tough market and, post-Brexit, the pressures and unknowns have made it even harder – Simon Blagden, Chief Executive of Jamie’s Italian, said.

The closing will affect 120 jobs, less than 5% of the employees in the chain, Blagden said.

In addition to ingredients being more expensive, Blagden cited the staff training costs and a reduced number of visitors as reasons for closing down a part of the restaurants.

Since the referendum of June 23, 2016, the British pound has dropped relative to euro, which has caused the prices of imported products to go up.

Jamie’s Italian will continue to develop abroad. There’s a plan to establish 22 new restaurants with partners, the group says.

Jamie Oliver now has 42 restaurants in the Jamie’s Italian chain in Great Britain, as well as 36 restaurants bearing his name abroad.

Jamie s Italian

Jamie Oliver

Brexit

Simon Blagden