Jamie Oliver backed Fifteen pulls plug on Leeds restaurant

Jamie Oliver-backed charitable restaurant chain The Fifteen Foundation has abandoned plans to open in Leeds.

Last June, the foundation agreed a business plan to open a third UK restaurant site at the Dark Arches at Holbeck Urban Village in the city centre, but has decided not to push on with the project due to the recession.

Penny Newman, chief executive of the Fifteen Foundation, said: "The decision not to expand comes down to a combination of factors but no one will be surprised to hear that the current economic climate has played a major part in the matter.

"We think it is prudent to focus on our existing restaurants for the time being."

Fifteen is a social enterprise and profits from its restaurants go towards its apprenticeship scheme, which helps disadvantaged youngsters. It currently runs restaurants in London and Cornwall, as well as Amsterdam and Melbourne.

While the charitable organisation of the Fifteen Foundation has the backing of Jamie Oliver, he does not own any of its restaurants.

The chef launched the Jamie's Italian chain last year and is poised to open a new venture, called Recipease, in Clapham, south London.

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By Chris Druce

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