Gino D’Acampo’s last remaining restaurants have reportedly been saved from closure in a £5 million deal after the chef’s misconduct scandal.
In February, D’Acampo, 48, was hit with dozens of accusations of sexually inappropriate and “distressing” behaviour towards colleagues over the past 12 years, which he denies.
Amid the controversy, it has been alleged that Upmarket Leisure Ltd, the firm that controls his restaurants dotted around the UK, has been struggling with debt and a sale of the company fell through.
HMRC issued a petition to close the company at the High Court in March and an application to appoint an administrator was made on Tuesday, according to The Sun.
However, Upmarket Leisure has now reportedly been saved and bought out of administration in a £5 million agreement, which means the five restaurants can remain open.
The alleged deal will save the jobs of 400 employees at the venues in London, Newcastle, Manchester, and Leeds, according to the outlet.
Dean Watson, at the administrator Begbies Traynor, told the Sun: “This very well-recognised group of restaurants will be able to continue, under their existing brand, and has the opportunity to thrive again.”
Upmarket Leisure faced losses that increased from £559,000 to £1.475 million in accounts for the year to March 2023 and the company owed creditors £5.8 million at that time, The Sun reported.
Staff at the company failed to be paid a week ago and were warned of a delay, with some of them since receiving payment, the publication claimed.
Upmarket Leisure has apologised for the late payment citing administrative banking issues and being unable to process payroll, according to The Sun.
The Standard has contacted D’Acampo’s representative for comment.
The This Morning star has been visiting his restaurants around the UK in recent months and last week shared a video of himself hugging diners and members of staff at various venues.
He captioned it: “Just finished my Restaurants Tour all over the UK @ginomyrestaurant & @lucianobyginodacampo. You guys make it all worth it. GDx.”
In 2022, the celebrity cook was forced to call in liquidators after it was revealed his My Past Bar chain lost thousands every year during its decade in business.
D’Acampo had restaurants in Fleet Street, Leadenhall Market and Bishopsgate, London.
Earlier this year, D’Acampo was accused of “horrendous” misconduct on various TV shows in an ITV News investigation.
D’Acampo allegedly made inappropriate sexual comments about his This Morning co-star Holly Willoughby (ITV)
He reportedly made lewd sexual comments to a female colleague in one alleged incident in 2011 and allegedly kissed a famous footballer’s wife on the lips at a charity event in 2012.
He also allegedly made “disgusting” sexual comments about whether he would sleep with his ITV co-star Holly Willoughby or her close friend, presenter Fearne Cotton.
The Road Trip star has “firmly denied” the allegations and described them as “deeply upsetting”.
“I have never been made aware of these matters previously and the allegations are firmly denied,” he said in a statement.
“I would not do anything that I thought would upset or distress anyone. This is simply not in my nature. I do not recognise the version of events being put to me.“
