Oliver to open 15 in Cornwall?

Jamie Oliver is reportedly close to signing a deal on a site in Watergate Bay near Newquay, Cornwall.

The celebrity chef is planning to use the venue to roll out his 15 restaurant concept and it is believed contracts will be signed in the next few weeks.

Andrew Parkinson, head chef at the original 15 restaurant in Hoxton, London, is reportedly moving to Cornwall to head up the kitchen.

It will be the third 15 venue. The first site in Hoxton was set up in 2002 to mentor and train unemployed youngsters and the second 15 was launched in December 2004 in Amsterdam, Holland.

Oliver indicated his intention to open in Cornwall at the unveiling of his statue in Madame Tussauds last week. He said the area had similar unemployment and drugs issues to London.

A spokesman for Oliver said an announcement would be made in the coming weeks.