Jamie Oliver’s Guildford Restaurant now a McDonalds: I like good food as much as the next person, but it is impossible to deny the draw of fast food on a hungry stomach. Few chefs have done more than Jamie Oliver to persuade us that we should cook our own healthy meals and reject the fast food culture that has been growing in the UK. With his series; Jamie’s School Dinners he tried to improve the quality and nutritional value of school dinners in the UK.
It is somewhat ironic that of all restaurants, Jamie Oliver’s Guildford restaurant would close its doors, only to reopen again as a McDonald’s Restaurant. The new location was a Jamie’s Italian for years before the company folded in 2019 following financial mismanagement and a difficult time for high street restaurants.
It is, perhaps evidence that you can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make it drink. Despite Jamie’s best efforts, fast food has not only prevailed, it is now standing where he once stood. He may be right about nutrition, but unfortunately he has lost the war. Guildford Restaurant.
Jamie Oliver’s Guildford Restaurant now a McDonalds: How did this happen?
Jamie’s Italian was founded in 2008. Then in 2017, Jamie Oliver’s businesses lost £20m. As a result he closed 18 of his Jamie’s Italian restaurants. This resulted in the reported loss of 600 jobs. The company had debts of £71.5M and took out loans from HSBC of 37M. In 2018 Jamie’s Italian closed a further 12 more of the 37 restaurants. Finally, in 2019 most of the rest of the Jamie’s Italian restaurants closed leaving just three open and the business called in administrators.
This does not paint a great picture, and it seems to be far from an isolated event. As doors close up and down the country due to high rent, council tax and competition from online retailers, how many others will follow?
Image Credits:
- Mc Donalds Guildford: Hillbers News
