Popular UK restaurant chain makes dramatic return 6 years after collapse

If you’ve wandered around a British high street over the past few years, you’ll know it hasn’t exactly been overflowing with fresh culinary excitement.

Between closures, rising costs, and the general shuffle of chains disappearing overnight, the mid-market dining scene has been looking a little sparse. Something rather unexpected is brewing, though, and it’s set to give the nation’s casual dining fans a serious jolt of nostalgia.

For years, one particular name was everywhere: a bright splash of pasta, planks and sunny Italian vibes that became a staple for family meals, pre-theatre dinners and weekend meet-ups.

(View Pictures/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)

Still, the brand didn’t vanish entirely. Outside the UK, it quietly carried on, gathering loyal diners across multiple countries while British fans were left wondering if they’d ever see it again.

Now, after six long years away from the British high street, the wait is finally over: Jamie’s Italian is officially coming back.

The revival is being spearheaded by Brava Hospitality Group, the team behind Prezzo, which is working with Jamie Oliver to relaunch the once-dominant chain. The comeback begins with a major flagship site in London’s Leicester Square, opening next spring and marking the brand’s first UK restaurant since going into administration in 2019.

Jamie’s Italian prepares for its high street comeback after six years away (Roger Utting Photography/Getty Images)

At its peak, Jamie’s Italian boasted more than 40 UK locations before financial troubles forced the closure of its remaining sites and hundreds of job losses.

Speaking about the return, reported by Metro, Jamie Oliver said: “As a chef, having the chance to return to the high street is incredibly important to me. In theory, it’s not the easiest time to return, but conversely, I think it’s the perfect time. I believe the mid-market needs excitement, surprise and delight and that’s exactly what I am planning on delivering."

He added: “I think the public wants freshly made, delicious food at a reasonable price with an award-winning kids’ menu. Eating out is a treat, but I believe it should offer value for money with higher welfare sourcing."

Jamie Oliver leads the long-awaited revival of his once-iconic UK chain (Neil P. Mockford/Stringer/Getty Images)

Alongside refreshed interiors and a tighter focus on quality, the menu will feature returning favourites such as prawn linguine, meat planks and Gennaro’s bolognese, along with a new selection of fresh pasta dishes crafted by Jamie himself.

Brava’s chief executive James Brown said the company aims to ‘bring world-class Italian dining to the heart of the UK high street,’ while Ed Loftus, global director of Jamie Oliver Restaurants, described the relaunch as an ‘exciting next chapter’.