Jamie’s failure

JAMIE OLIVER and his management team are blaming the failure of his restaurant chain on high rents, rates, food costs, the decline of the High Street, the increase in the minimum wage, the challenging casual dining sector and, of course, the go-to excuse nowadays, Brexit.

My girlfriend and I tried one of Jamie’s much- touted Italian restaurants. the food was expensive, but we had expected that in a ‘name’ restaurant.

What we didn’t expect was bland, uninspired bistro nosh. I have eaten better food in the local pub at a quarter of the cost. the service was excellent, but the staff realised they were on a hiding to nothing.

Repeat business and word of mouth are the lifeblood of the restaurant trade, but I wouldn’t have gone back into one of Mr Oliver’s establishments for a bet. that is why his restaurant chain failed and why a thousand people are out of work. Making excuses won’t change that. ANGUS GAFRAIDH,

London E11.