Jamie chips in after £10m loss at Italian chain

JAMIE Oliver’s Italian restaurant chain has hired turnaround specialists after losing almost £10m.

The company run by the celebrity chef ( pictured), which has 60 branches worldwide, has also had to get a loan from parent firm Jamie Oliver Holdings Group, it emerged last night.

In January, six Jamie’s Italian restaurants were closed amid pressures from a rise in the minimum wage and higher costs of raw materials. Now the firm has hired Alix Partners to draw up a turnaround plan.

Latest accounts filed at Companies House show Jamie’s Italian made a loss of £9.9m last year on turnover of around £112m. However, it is the only section of Oliver’s growing business covered in the review. His latest cook book, 5 Ingredients, looks set to be his most successful ever.

Last night a spokesman said: ‘Our first step was to bring in new management. Additionally, we’ve appointed an external consultant to steer through the next phase and ensure we continue to build on our strong and much-loved restaurant brand.’