Jamie Oliver restaurant staff 'in tears' after chain announces it's going into administration

Former employees of Jamie Oliver's restaurant empire were left in tears at finding out they were losing their jobs, after the business announced it was going into administration yesterday.

Some members of staff at the TV chef's restaurants claimed they were given the news in a conference call, after receiving an email an hour beforehand.

Mr Oliver said he was “deeply saddened” after putting his restaurant business into administration, with all but three of its 25 outlets closing immediately.

One employee, who asked not to be named, said he didn’t blame the 43-year-old chef personally.

A former senior employee told The Times: "I don't blame Jamie. When I worked there he was inspirational and there is a lot of great things he can still do. He was in a difficult position."

But other employees lashed out at Mr Oliver.

A former staff member, who asked not to be named, told the Mirror: “I’m really angry. Jamie won’t be the one looking for a job and struggling to pay his bills, it’ll be on saps like us who worked for him”.

Some employees have claimed they were in tears after they were told by a conference call they were losing their jobs.

Workers have claimed they were given less than an hour's notice by an email the call was going to take place.

Gianetto, 29, a waiter at the London Bridge branch of the chain said: "It was so sudden....we deserve better notice than this, it was ridiculous."

Posting on Facebook following the announcement, Mr Oliver wrote: “I’m devastated that our much-loved UK restaurants have gone into administration.

I am deeply saddened by this outcome and would like to thank all of the people who have put their hearts and souls into this business over the years. Jamie Oliver.”