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Jamie Oliver restaurant to create 100 new jobs

Jamie Oliver: ‘York is a beautiful city’ Jamie Oliver: ‘York is a beautiful city’

ABOUT 100 new jobs are to be created in York when a restaurant owned by top TV chef Jamie Oliver opens later this year.

The Jamie’s Italian branch will be next to Guildhall, over two floors in an unused part of the building that houses the Lendal Cellars pub. The pub will remain as part of the development.

Construction work is currently taking place on the Grade II-listed building and the restaurant is scheduled to open in July.

Jamie’s Italian Ltd has now begun the search for chefs and front-of-house staff ahead of its unveiling, and hopes to create 100 posts.

Oliver, who made his name on his show The Naked Chef and as a campaigner for healthier school dinners, said he had been looking to open a branch in York for some time.

He said: “York is such a beautiful city – I used to go there on holiday as a kid and I’ve wanted to find the right site there for a while.

“We’re in a fantastic location and it’s really going to be a wonderful place to eat, one of the jewels of the Jamie’s Italian collection.

“We’re now recruiting and starting to train the very best local waiting staff, chefs and front-of-house staff, so we hope people will come and join us.”

A spokeswoman for the firm said the transformation of the building would ensure original features, including Tudor roof trusses and exposed brick walls, would be preserved, with the restaurant having an open kitchen allowing diners to watch the chefs at work. It will also boast an external dining area.

The building dates back to the 17th century on the site of an earlier friary, and it became a wine cellar for the Lord Mayors of York.

York restaurateur Michael Hjort, who is secretary of York Hospitality Association and who organises the annual York Food And Drink Festival, said: “York has a large number of chain operations, of which the Jamie’s Italian restaurant will be another one.

“There is certainly no harm in competition and I think it will be a welcome addition to the offer York gives to its visitors.”

The sections of the building where the restaurant is taking shape have previously been out of use for several years.

The Jamie’s Italian chain currently has 26 restaurants across the UK, as well as branches in Sydney and Dubai. Its only other Yorkshire restaurant is in Leeds.

The Press - Comment

Jamie keen for pizza the action

YORK’S popularity seems to grow by the year and as we reported on Saturday, the number of overseas visitors increased by 12 per cent in 2011.

But one of York’s biggest fans lives closer to home; Jamie Oliver who tells us he likes the city so much, he has been looking for a while to find a perfect city centre location for his new restaurant.

Now he has found it; the Grade II listed Lendal Cellars pub, next to Guildhall. And Jamie's Italian will provide 100 new jobs, which comes hard on the heels of the announcement that American fashion retailers Urban Outfitters are set to employ 20 new staff when it moves into High Ousegate.

In these difficult economic times, it is good that York remains a highly prized city and both Jamie Oliver and Urban Outfitters say they have had a longstanding need to be here.

This is yet more evidence that while other towns run campaigns to save their high streets, York continues to buck the trend.

Indeed a report last year named Stonegate the most prized retail address outside central London, while Petergate was nominated for Britain's best shopping street in the Google street view awards.

There may be concern that few of the recent job announcements have been in the manufacturing sector, but with Science City, York does lead the way in industry with cutting-edge, applied research. In any case, jobs, wherever they come from, are always welcome and Jamie Oliver’s desire to be in York adds one more vote of confidence in a city centre that is a sought-after place to do business.

What do you think? - Click to comment

Comments(44)

Firedrake says...
9:54am Mon 13 Feb 12

I wish it well and hope it survives. I also hope the prices fall within the capacity of the average York wallet.

The Great Buda says...
10:00am Mon 13 Feb 12

Great news for the City and flies in the face of the "City Centre Brigade" and their house of cards.

Even AndyD says...
10:09am Mon 13 Feb 12

Great news and yes, makes a mockery of the Castleford-4.

Blimp says...
10:13am Mon 13 Feb 12

Brilliant, love it! More please.

Hicarrumba says...
10:17am Mon 13 Feb 12

Can't help thinking if it wasn't Jamie Oliver, that permission would have been less forthcoming, I do know from family ties that a few restaurants in York had difficulties at the planning stages. And we're overcome with a certain amount of "grease"

rogue84 says...
10:26am Mon 13 Feb 12

just across the road from Bettys?? any comeback from them on this?

the commentator says...
10:38am Mon 13 Feb 12

although Jamie Olivers name is attached to it, it is just another chain of Italian restaurants and nothing flash or pricey.

Woody Mellor says...
10:43am Mon 13 Feb 12

I agree. I went to the one in Leeds, it wasn't too flash or too pricey. Should suit most wallets. A nice addition to York.

ISeeEverything says...
10:48am Mon 13 Feb 12

Lies, damned lies and job creation statistics.

Woody Mellor says...
10:52am Mon 13 Feb 12

ISeeEverything wrote:
Lies, damned lies and job creation statistics.
The end is nigh, the end is niiiiigh!

Anna Lupton says...
11:07am Mon 13 Feb 12

So pleased to hear that Jamie Oliver is opening up a restaurant in York. It will be an added bonus not only to ourselves and other locals but to our guests who stay with us here at www.carrhousefarm.co
.uk. He sources the most amazing olives I have ever tasted.

magicadey says...
11:34am Mon 13 Feb 12

shame hardly anything if anything at all suitable for vegetarians again

Yorkenstein says...
12:15pm Mon 13 Feb 12

Anna Lupton wrote:
So pleased to hear that Jamie Oliver is opening up a restaurant in York. It will be an added bonus not only to ourselves and other locals but to our guests who stay with us here at www.carrhousefarm.co

.uk. He sources the most amazing olives I have ever tasted.
Shameless advert Anna - but i suppose the whole article is really. Good on ya!

redrrr says...
12:19pm Mon 13 Feb 12

Although I welcome the news I can’t help but think York has enough Italian options. Come on Jamie how about offering us a wider menu at affordable prices?

Barfield24 says...
12:42pm Mon 13 Feb 12

I cant agree with the instructions on his sainsbury's sausages more....."**** with fork"

electricwarrior says...
1:13pm Mon 13 Feb 12

Is he Italian then!!!!

oi oi savaloy says...
1:14pm Mon 13 Feb 12

More low paid jobs for York

emen says...
1:32pm Mon 13 Feb 12

I hope the management of Pizza Hut at Monks Cross objected to this. Just think of the impact it will potentially have on their business.

Guy Fawkes says...
4:08pm Mon 13 Feb 12

More low paid jobs for York


Exactly. Of those 100 jobs created, around 95 of them will probably be on the minimum wage.

Woody Mellor says...
4:14pm Mon 13 Feb 12

Guy Fawkes wrote:
More low paid jobs for York


Exactly. Of those 100 jobs created, around 95 of them will probably be on the minimum wage.
So what?

songbird1 says...
5:35pm Mon 13 Feb 12

It's all well and good telling us that there are 100 jobs being offered but does The Press not think we'd like to know how to apply for said jobs?

Garrowby Turnoff says...
5:40pm Mon 13 Feb 12

Barfield24 wrote:
I cant agree with the instructions on his sainsbury's sausages more....."**** with fork"
I remember the Duke of York at Gate Helmsley had a small advertising sign at the bar which bragged:-

"Try one of our home made Meat Pies... You'll never get better!"

MrsDingledongle says...
5:47pm Mon 13 Feb 12

Barfield24 wrote:
I cant agree with the instructions on his sainsbury's sausages more....."**** with fork"
Love it, love it, love it. Thank you for the biggest laugh of my day! (Do quite like him though)

ReginaldBiscuit says...
5:53pm Mon 13 Feb 12

Woody Mellor wrote:
Guy Fawkes wrote:
More low paid jobs for York


Exactly. Of those 100 jobs created, around 95 of them will probably be on the minimum wage.
So what?
I can see both points. A celebrity restaurant for York is a great thing. It will bring more people into the city - possibly more celebs - and it will create jobs albeit low paid jobs.

To address low-paid positions and the vacuously empty nad increasingly worse prospects for skilled job-seekers, you need to look directly at successive governments who have strangled manufacturing and murdered skilled labour with an overall dumbing down into low-brow service sector work. Thank god for places like Sheffield which still has globally sought after large-scale manufacturing and expertise.

oi oi savaloy says...
6:37pm Mon 13 Feb 12

Woody Mellor wrote:
Guy Fawkes wrote:
More low paid jobs for York


Exactly. Of those 100 jobs created, around 95 of them will probably be on the minimum wage.
So what?
Wow joe strummer saying so what to the minimum wage!! I would have thought he would have been a campaigner for a decent living wage!!

TERRIER3 says...
6:39pm Mon 13 Feb 12

any new jobs are a good thing, id rather have a job on minimum wage than sit on my arris all day collecting the dole

jgycfc says...
6:57pm Mon 13 Feb 12

Mmm so I'll have some olive oil with some olive oil on top please. And for pudding? Yeah a pudding of olive oil. And olive oil coffee for afters. "Pukka".

It must be a good time to start growing olives near here... Now if only we had the climate?

fear your government says...
7:05pm Mon 13 Feb 12

TERRIER3 wrote:
any new jobs are a good thing, id rather have a job on minimum wage than sit on my arris all day collecting the dole
really!
you dont mind being exploited then!
may i suggest you move to greece im sure you will do just swell on fresh air and a 22% cut to the minimum wage.
infact why not work for nothing then,.
because that is basically what you are doing on the minimum wage.
i take it from your comment youve never had to work for the minimum wage..... lucky you.......
RIDICULOUS

Woody Mellor says...
7:08pm Mon 13 Feb 12

oi oi savaloy wrote:
Woody Mellor wrote:
Guy Fawkes wrote:
More low paid jobs for York


Exactly. Of those 100 jobs created, around 95 of them will probably be on the minimum wage.
So what?
Wow joe strummer saying so what to the minimum wage!! I would have thought he would have been a campaigner for a decent living wage!!
Ha haa. Your the only one I know of that spotted the name!

And I agree with you about what Joe would of wanted, me too! I'm just glad that there will be payed jobs available for the "kids". ;o)

Woody Mellor says...
7:17pm Mon 13 Feb 12

fear your government wrote:
TERRIER3 wrote:
any new jobs are a good thing, id rather have a job on minimum wage than sit on my arris all day collecting the dole
really!
you dont mind being exploited then!
may i suggest you move to greece im sure you will do just swell on fresh air and a 22% cut to the minimum wage.
infact why not work for nothing then,.
because that is basically what you are doing on the minimum wage.
i take it from your comment youve never had to work for the minimum wage..... lucky you.......
RIDICULOUS
Tell the skint students its RIDICULOUS. I think you'll find they disagree. Dont believe me? Go ask them when it opens. I agree the minimum wage should be more, but I'll wager that they'll be well pleased with the extra income. (and the tips)

Silver says...
8:06pm Mon 13 Feb 12

Having been to the Jamie's restaurant in Nottingham I can say it's very good food for great value. For all the nay sayers sure some of these jobs will be done by the young but weekend jobs and basic kitchen jobs can be seen as a start to a career. No chef starts out as a top chef they have to earn it. So whilst they may not be the greatest jobs in the world but any job creation in a time of economical worry surely is a good thing.

Silver says...
8:07pm Mon 13 Feb 12

On a side note which would you rather be succesful in York? CPP with their dodgy scams or a chain of italian restaurants which you can choose to eat it. It's got to be better then a cold calling company.

Buzz Light-year says...
9:07pm Mon 13 Feb 12

Hey I never knew the Woody Mellor/Joe Strummer thing, thanks guys :)

And really, is someone moaning about the minimum wage? Really?
Are we really in a society where having a minimum wage is a *bad* thing? Are we really so afflicted by the rockstar footballer celebrity whatever lifestyle that we think minimum wage is "ridiculous"?

Anyone remember before the minimum wage? When nasty unscrupulous greedy bstrds could pay whatever the **** they wanted and people had to work for it? And people did.
Anyone remember the YTS schemes? You know the ones - you were supposed to be training sort of like an apprenticeship but actually nothing at all like an apprenticeship but you were made to do all the worst most scuzziest of jobs, got the mick ripped out of you all day full time, like 40 hours for TWENTY SEVEN POUNDS FIFTY A WEEK.

As for the restaurant, we have countless Italian eateries already. Yawn.

Omega Point says...
9:31pm Mon 13 Feb 12

magicadey wrote:
shame hardly anything if anything at all suitable for vegetarians again
The provision reflects the demand.

Malcolm says...
10:35pm Mon 13 Feb 12

What a refreshing attitude from Michael Hjort: "There is certainly no harm in competition and I think it will be a welcome addition to the offer York gives to its visitors."

There's a few businesses in York who could learn from that.

Gazzmann says...
10:41pm Mon 13 Feb 12

What I want to know though is what does this mean for the Lendal Cellars pub itself? I do hope it's being kept separate from the Restaurant cause it was one of our favourite pubs in the City, plus no mention of Greene King here, who actually own Lendal Cellars....

I despair!!! says...
10:44am Tue 14 Feb 12

"Jamie’s Italian Ltd has now begun the search for chefs",

if it's like all the other chain italians, someone to stick a preprepared meal in the microwave is all that is needed!
Fantastic...

Mr Anderson says...
2:30pm Tue 14 Feb 12

I despair!!! wrote:
"Jamie’s Italian Ltd has now begun the search for chefs", if it's like all the other chain italians, someone to stick a preprepared meal in the microwave is all that is needed! Fantastic...
You've obviously not eaten in one if his Italian restaurants. I have.

the butler says...
6:18pm Tue 14 Feb 12

Will this restaurant have a take out section, where one can phone in for an order?
Good luck to Jamie.ease up on the olive oil?

sunnysteve says...
6:36pm Tue 14 Feb 12

Why are people from York so cynical,true Yorkies wouldn't be.Well done Jamie,we hope it all goes well and we will visit later in the year when you open.Good Luck.

McArthur Crown says...
4:38pm Wed 15 Feb 12

Good luck to Jamie and his latest venture. Maybe a restaurant of that size will also inspire a number of young people to get into the trade seriously, and encourage them to open their own local restaurant leading to more jobs.

And if the banks can be forced to start lending again to sole traders maybe we can get a few other places to eat other than chains, of which Jamie's is obviously one.

As for the pub, couldn't care less if it ever opens again, horrible place with horrible beer - and I'm only a lager drinker!

magicadey says...
11:20pm Wed 15 Feb 12

Omega Point wrote:
magicadey wrote:
shame hardly anything if anything at all suitable for vegetarians again
The provision reflects the demand.
i'm sure there are a lot demanding it..

BorderReiver says...
9:15am Fri 17 Feb 12

Nice to see there is no change in the negative attitude of so many "Yorkies".
A quality restaurant is due to open and all you hear is whinging about too many pizzerias and the minimum wage ! If you don't like pizza etc, don't go. As for the wage issue, ok its not brilliant, but its a job and you have to start somewhere - good for the cv, a reference from Jamie ! And the tips will more than make up for any initial shortfall. Cheer up and celebrate, you naysayers !

PinzaC55 says...
3:40pm Fri 17 Feb 12

One day York will be all restaurants, bars or mobile phone shops.

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