Jools Oliver cuts a glum figure as she arrives at her £8.9M London home amid news of her husband Jamie's restaurant chain going into administration

  • Jools Oliver, 44, lives with Jamie and their five children in their Essex mansion
  • Returned home looking glum this afternoon - restaurant chain is in trouble 
  • Has designed a children's clothing range, called Little Bird for Mothercare

The wife of Jamie Oliver returned home looking glum this afternoon after it was announced that his restaurants would go into administration.

Jools Oliver, 44, who lives with Jamie and their five children in their Essex mansion, looked down as she pulled up at home this afternoon.

The restaurant chain is said to have run up £71.5 million in debt - and has appointed administrators, putting as many as 1,300 jobs at risk.

The mother-of-five has written a series of books on parenting, as well as designing a children's clothing range, called Little Bird for Mothercare.

The chain of stores also suffered a blow earlier this year when they revealed they would be closing up to 50 of their shops. 

Jools Oliver, 44, who lives with Jamie and there five children in their Essex mansion, looked down as she pulled up at home this afternoon

Jools Oliver, 44, who lives with Jamie and there five children in their Essex mansion, looked down as she pulled up at home this afternoon

The pair married in 2000 and have since had five children together Poppy Honey Rosie, 17, 16-year-old Daisy Boo Pamela, Petal Blossom Rainbow, ten, and sons Buddy Bear Maurice, eight, and two-year-old River Rocket Blue Dallas

The pair married in 2000 and have since had five children together Poppy Honey Rosie, 17, 16-year-old Daisy Boo Pamela, Petal Blossom Rainbow, ten, and sons Buddy Bear Maurice, eight, and two-year-old River Rocket Blue Dallas

Stepping out of her car in a denim play suit she kept her sunglasses on and had her long brunette locks worn down. 

The pair married in 2000 and have since had five children together Poppy Honey Rosie, 17, 16-year-old Daisy Boo Pamela, Petal Blossom Rainbow, ten, and sons Buddy Bear Maurice, eight, and two-year-old River Rocket Blue Dallas. 

The stay-at-home mother is also known for appearing regularly in glossy magazines and sharing candid shots of her family on social media.

Just last month Jools attended the GQ Food and Drink Awards with Jamie to watch him be presented a lifetime achievement accolade.

Stepping out of her car in a denim play suit she kept her sunglasses on and had her long brunette locks worn down

Stepping out of her car in a denim play suit she kept her sunglasses on and had her long brunette locks worn down

Experts say the growth of takeaway apps, and a 'saturation' of food chains on Britain's high streets contributed to eroding the company's earnings.

The chef himself previously blamed Brexit which he said was among the number to factors which caused a 'perfect storm' for the company, as well as rental costs, local government rates and the increase in the minimum wage.

The 43-year-old, who has netted £240 million during the 20 years he's been in the public eye, said he was 'devastated' and 'deeply saddened by the outcome'.

The stay at home mother is also known for appearing regularly in glossy magazines and sharing candid shots of her family on social media

The stay at home mother is also known for appearing regularly in glossy magazines and sharing candid shots of her family on social media

Just last month Jools attended the GQ Food and Drink Awards with Jamie to watch him be presented a lifetime achievement accolade

Just last month Jools attended the GQ Food and Drink Awards with Jamie to watch him be presented a lifetime achievement accolade

He thanked staff and suppliers, adding: 'I appreciate how difficult this is for everyone affected. It's been a real pleasure serving you.'

In 2017 the father-of-five, who lives in a £6million 16th century Essex mansion, ploughed £12.7million of his own money into his struggling business after being given two hours to save the chain.

According to Companies House, Jamie Oliver Holdings Ltd — the umbrella company under which he runs his myriad businesses — turned over £32 million last year - a staggering £87,670 a day.

But Jamie's Italian was on the brink of collapse two years ago with the chef revealing in an interview it had 'simply run out of cash' and run up millions in debt.

Jools and Jamie Oliver attend a special screening of a film in happier times a few years ago

Jools and Jamie Oliver attend a special screening of a film in happier times a few years ago

The process does not affect Mr Oliver's other companies, which handle his media and licensing deals, while the international branch of Jamie's Italian is also unaffected.

Fifteen Cornwall, which operates under a franchise, is also not involved.

It follows a hunt for a new investor in the Jamie's Italian brand, with a number of private equity firms touted as mulling bids for a stake in the business.

Overseas, five branches of the Australian arm of Jamie's Italian were sold off last year, while another was put into administration.

 

Advertisement

Jools Oliver looks glum amid news of husband Jamie's restaurant chain

The comments below have not been moderated.

The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline.

What's This?

By posting your comment you agree to our house rules.