Jamie Oliver backed Fifteen Leeds takes step closer to reality

The Fifteen Foundation, the Jamie Oliver inspired charitable restaurant trust, is in talks to open a third UK site in Leeds, Yorkshire.

The group, which currently operates restaurants in London and Cornwall, said its board of trustees had agreed to back a business plan to launch a venture in Leeds in the next 18 months.

A proposed site has been found at the Dark Arches at Holbeck Urban Village in the city centre.

However, the Fifteen Foundation added that there is "still a long way to go" as significant funds need to be raised to take the project forward.

Mike Trace, chairman of the board of trustees for the Fifteen Foundation, said: "There are a lot of young people in Yorkshire who need a second chance and we hope to be able to give them that opportunity as well as bring some superb food to a city that already has a dynamic restaurant scene."

Jamie Oliver added: "I just hope we continue to get the support from local partners to be able to create a brilliant restaurant in Yorkshire which will attract customers from all over the world and help local young people at the same time."

Since Jamie Oliver founded the first Fifteen in London in 2002, the social enterprise has gone global with restaurants in Amsterdam and Melbourne. For more see our Fifteen landing page.

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By Kerstin Kühn

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