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.”
This article originally appeared on New Idea.