As Jamie Oliver's Barby Ltd, made up of two Barbecoa restaurants, falls into administration, the Piccadilly site closes, with loss of 80 jobs, while St Paul’s outlet is bought at last minute by Oliver’s company.
As reported on 12 February, Christie & Co were appointed to sell the two sites.
A spokesperson for Jamie Oliver has confirmed that a subsidiary company of the restaurant group, One New Change Ltd, which was set up less than three weeks ago, has purchased the lease and assets for the site in St. Paul’s. That restaurant will continue to trade as normal.
The spokesperson continued, 'We can confirm that Barby Limited has been placed into administration. AlixPartners has been appointed administrators for Barby Limited. One New Change Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Jamie Oliver Restaurant Group, has purchased the assets and lease of Barbecoa St Paul’s and will be trading as normal.
“The Piccadilly branch has been put into administration with AlixPartners appointed as the administrators.” There was no mention that this site has been acquired by One New Change Limited, and it is understood that this restaurant could close as soon as this week, leaving the Barbecoa brand with just its flagship St. Paul’s site.'