So, yet another business in trouble thanks to this foul recession caused by Brexit. Or that’s what chief executive of Jamie’s Italian, Simon Blagden, wants us to think, anyway. Announcing the closure of six restaurants he said:
‘As every restaurant owner knows, this is a tough market and, post-Brexit, the pressures and unknowns have made it even harder’
Well, not as every restaurant-owner knows, no. According to the ONS’ figures, published at the end of November, its economic index for hotels and restaurants was up 1.1 per cent in the third quarter – following the vote for Brexit. The latest Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI), published yesterday, shows accelerating growth in services –the index climbing to 56.2 in November.
There is an alternative explanation for the closure of Jamie’s restaurants, of course: they just aren’t good enough for the prices they are charging.
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