SCANDAL-hit TV chef Gino D’Acampo’s restaurant chain has been saved from the brink of closure.
Upmarket Leisure Ltd, the firm controlling the former star’s five venues, has been struggling with spiralling debts.
Asale fell through and the issued a petition to wind up Upmarket at the High in March.
An application to appoint an administrator was made on Tuesday.
Upmarket has now been bought out of administration in a £5million deal.
It secures the jobs of all 400 employees at the restaurants in , , and .
Dean Watson, at administrator Begbies Traynor, said yesterday: “This very well-recognised group of will be able to continue, under their existing brand, and has the opportunity to thrive again.”;
In February , 48, was over 12 years, which he denies.
ITV has vowedin future.
The most recentUpmarket accounts, for the year to March 2023, had showedlosses went up by almost £1million from £559,000 to £1.475million.
It owed creditors £5.8million at that time.
Restaurant staff were due to be paid a week ago but were warned of a delay.
One told : “A lot of people are very angry and a few have resigned.Every day we’re told we’ll be paid tomorrow.”;
Somehave now received payment.
Upmarket apologised, blaming administrative banking issues on being unable to process payroll.
It comes after Gino, 48, posted videos on last week of himself embracing workers and diners at his restaurants across Britain.
He wrote: “Just finished my Restaurants Tour all over the UK @ginomyrestaurant & @lucianobyginodacampo. You guys make it all worth it. GDx.”;
Last year, the Italian was unable to pay staff and the taxman after his My Pasta Bar chain wound up with around £5 million losses.
Previous accounts showed it owed £4.8 million to trade creditors, £113,975 to HMRC and £53,304 to staff after being liquidated in 2022.
Meanwhile, just days ago the TV presenter since his ITV sacking.
The star broke cover after laying lowamid claims of inappropriate behaviourwere lodged against him.
Gino, who has been spending time in his nativesince the scandal broke in February, was spotted getting into a taxi on a Hertfordshire high street.
He kept a low-profile as he made his way into the waiting car in a now rare public sighting.
Earlier this year,anITVinvestigationfound there were multiple claims of “unacceptable,”; “distressing”; and “horrendous”; treatment while working withover more than 12 years.
GinotoldITVNews he “firmly denied”; all the allegations, which he called “deeply upsetting”;.
amid the “unacceptable, distressing and horrendous”; allegations of disgusting sexual jibes to female colleagues over 12 years.
It emerged that one female telly producer claimed to ITV thatduring live filming.
It has also been alleged that, before telling charity gala guests he did it “because I can”;.
Gino has “firmly denied”; all the allegations against him and In a lengthy statement.
Representatives for Gino were approached for comment.
