Recessionblamed aschef shutsrestaurant

A RESTAURANT owned by celebrity chef Paul Heathcote has gone out of business with the loss of 17 jobs.

The recession and a lack of footfall has been blamed for the closure of The Olive Press, in the Canal Wharf area of Leeds city centre .

Previously called Simply Heathcotes, it was opened by Michelin-starred chef Mr Heathcote in a former grain house opposite the Leeds-Liverpool canal and specialised in Italian cuisine.

All members of staff were offered alternative employment at the Heathcote Group’s other restaurants. However, it is understood none of those affected by the closure has taken up the offer given that it would involve at least a 50-mile commute to the nearest restaurant.

Another of Mr Heathcote’s restaurants in Liverpool closed in August but a spokeswoman for the company denied that the business as a whole was in financial trouble.

She added: “It is a combination of the recession and lack of footfall. There were not as many people coming through the doors.

“All the staff have been made redundant. They were all offered redeployment by Paul.

“Paul has also been talking to other restaurants in the area to try and find his former employees work.”

The spokeswoman would not be drawn on whether or not the staff had been handed redundancy payouts, saying only that “all contractual and legal obligations have been met”.

The spokeswoman also said she could not rule out Mr Heathcote opening another restaurant in West Yorkshire in the future.

“Paul is looking at his business portfolio,” she said. “He is looking to open up more restaurants but he’s not decided where as he’s looking at various venues.”

Mr Heathcote received an MBE for his services to the hospitality industry last year.