Fifteen Cornwall, the flagship restaurant of Jamie Oliver's empire based at Watergate Bay, has closed its doors, resulting in 100 job losses. The restaurant, operated by the Cornwall Food Foundation, trained unemployed individuals as chefs.
The closure follows an independent financial review, with the restaurant's board and the foundation's trustees announcing the decision and beginning liquidation. This adds to earlier closures of Jamie's Italian, Barbecoa, and the London Fifteen, which cut 1,000 jobs.
In a statement, Fifteen Cornwall said: "We are deeply saddened to announce that today Fifteen Cornwall will close and cease trading immediately. We are profoundly sorry for the hurt, loss and distress the announcement will undoubtedly cause." It thanked loyal customers, staff, and suppliers for nearly 14 years of support.
Jamie Oliver commented: "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 ... so this is a huge blow." The restaurant also noted efforts to find ways to continue support for trainees and the Food for Change programme.
The closure adds to a tough period for UK dining, with chains like Byron, Carluccio's, and Patisserie Valerie also struggling amid rising costs and competition.
