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Restaurant which appeared on Ramsay’s Kitchen Nightmares closes

10:50pm Wednesday 31st December 2008 in


A seafood restaurant which was featured on Gordon Ramsay’s Kitchen Nightmares show has closed because of the credit crunch.

Love’s fish and seafood restaurant in St James’s Street, Kemp Town, Brighton, was transformed after the fiery chef made owner Allan Love realise he was selling badly cooked meals at high prices.

Mr Love had also never tasted a dish in his own restaurant because he hated fish.

The show transformed the business, and Mr Love spoke about how busy it was after he appeared on the programme.

But a notice on the door of the restaurant now says it has now closed because of the difficult economic climate and a lack of bookings.

The note reads: “Dear all. Unfortunately because of the credit crunch and lack of bookings, Loves restaurant has had to close for business.

“I would like to thank everyone for their support over the last two years and apologise to anyone that has booked tables for the future.

I sincerely hope that everyone has a prosperous New Year and once again thank you for your past support. Yours, Allan Love.”

A similar note is posted online at www.lovesrestaurant.co.uk.

It adds: “PS. Also! Thank you Gordon Ramsay for all your efforts, at least we tried eh? Love you!!”

There was no answer at the restaurant when The Argus called today.

Comments(24)

The Garden Slug says...
11:27pm Wed 31 Dec 08

This is the tip of the iceberg. You see how many resteraunts close in Jan and Feb 2009, it will leave us with a choice of the following:

Mcdonalds
Pizza Hut
KFC
Burger King

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socrates says...
7:53am Thu 1 Jan 09

Love’s fish and seafood restaurant in St James’s Street, Kemp Town, Brighton, was transformed after the fiery chef made owner Allan Love realise he was selling badly cooked meals at high prices.

Mr Love had also never tasted a dish in his own restaurant because he hated fish.

Nothing to do with the credit crunch then - I never ate there as he stored his wine incorrectly in the front window so I did not risk his fish! The poster of gordon ramsey on the door was also a pretty clear sign to steer clear :) In other news I couldnt get a table at the saint...

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jaygee says...
8:20am Thu 1 Jan 09

many businesses fail cos they are not economical.this tupenny hapenny outfit is just one of many.so as gordon ramsey would say to mr love "foxtrot off "

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william of orange says...
9:36am Thu 1 Jan 09


Hey Capn Pugwash...maybe they are eating at Tescos restaurant now!

Another business failure and yet more heads buried in the sand!

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mark 62 says...
10:06am Thu 1 Jan 09

i eat there, the credit crunch has nothing to do with its failure, overpriced poor quality food, the place stayed open on the fact ramsey had been there.
funny the argus have never written a piece on how property prices have dropped by 25% over last year or so!! nothing to do with advertising revenue! lol

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Jim BB says...
10:08am Thu 1 Jan 09

I used to love Love's, even when it was Ruby Tate's pre-Gordon but I stopped going when Allan became too 'mejia' and forgot why people enjoyed going there. My favourite waiter left and, when I said that it was sad, he said that they come and go and didn't care at all. That, combined with food poisoning from poorly prepared oysters, meant I couldn't be bothered to return. The poster of Gordon in the window was up far longer than it should have been so reminded would-be diners that it had been a failure.

But I am sad that it's gone as the staff were wonderful and did care about what they were doing. Hope to see them elsewhere soon.

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abeachhove says...
10:30am Thu 1 Jan 09

I don't know this place... so cannot comment about it... but with the attitude of many restaurant owners in town, it doesn't surprise me if some are hit.... not saying all are bad... such a shame to see Blind Lemon Alley close down... a lovely place, run by a lovely guy... not often you get someone so decent running a restaurant... but lets just say that when you do know so many people that have had to deal professionally with and been let down / ripped off by the likes of the owners of La Forchette, Goa Spice of Life, The Saint and Seven Dials... you can see how complacent and up themselves some restauranters can be... a tough year ahead for them sure... hopefully those that look after their staff, suppliers and customers will come out best off...

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Metro Reader on 7.47 says...
11:19am Thu 1 Jan 09

There was no answer at the restaurant when The Argus called today.

Well that is because its CLOSED, read your own story!

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CivicMan says...
11:37am Thu 1 Jan 09

Quote:

" Mr Love had also never tasted a dish in his own restaurant because he hated fish. "

What a king idiot - doomed from the start I'd say.......


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disgruntledHove says...
12:21pm Thu 1 Jan 09

Kept meaning to go there..but just didn't get around to it. I liked the chairs..and wondering if any for sale!
Wish Mr Love some better luck in 2009.

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Tye says...
12:56pm Thu 1 Jan 09

Too many restaurants close because the owners just seem to be playing at "mine host"

Another example?

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Osama bin there says...
2:53pm Thu 1 Jan 09

disgruntledHove wrote:
Kept meaning to go there..but just didn't get around to it. I liked the chairs..and wondering if any for sale!
Wish Mr Love some better luck in 2009.
Me too... Now look - it's gone.

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ribman2009 says...
3:45pm Thu 1 Jan 09

Here is another of the Kitchen Nightmares restaurants looking for help

PRESS RELEASE:

DECEMBER 29, 2008


THE OWNER OF J WILLY’S BARBEQUE HOUSE CANCELS SALE

John W Ittenbach, one of the current owners of “J Willy’s Barbeque House”, a restaurant recently featured on Chef Gordon Ramsay’s show “Kitchen Nightmares”, has notified the real estate agent holding the listing that J Willy’s BBQ House will no longer be up for sale. J Willy himself has requested additional time to pursue like-minded investors willing to keep J Willy’s BBQ alive rather than selling it off. If there is anyone out there who wants to be in the restaurant business, this is the “chance of a lifetime”, says Ittenbach. John’s partners are willing to give up their shares of the company (including both land and building) and all their rights to the commercially bottled BBQ sauce to the
right investor. John and his employees deeply believe in this restaurant and know that what Gordon gave them is a special gift. We have a viable product that if partnered up with the right person(s), we could easily take it to the next level. All I need is someone to assume my partners interest in J Willy’s with no additional costs. The restaurant sale listing will expire in about 30 days and J Willy’s partners have given him until June 1st, 2009 before they will re-list the restaurant for sale. John “ J Willy” Ittenbach can be contacted at J Willys BBQ House business number (574) 272-5478 or through email at john@jwillys.com



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Kickboxer says...
3:47pm Thu 1 Jan 09

I have known Allan for about 18 years as a friend and can say that he is a very hard working person who really try's hard to please others and not let people down, O.K. this business adventure didn't work out as planned but i'm sure as eggs are eggs he will have another successful business to add to the ones he has had in the past. The other thing about allan was he was never big headed, he was more than happy to "slum it" down Horatio's with us likely lads and he wouldn't sit there saying do you know who I am etc, yet he would always help if you needed it (in fact when I first met him I thought he was one of us likley lads) some people deserve to be successful in life, Allan is truly one of those people, to all those people that are knocking him you try going out and trying to set up a successful business on your own and see how hard it is.

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kemp town racer says...
5:20pm Thu 1 Jan 09

mark 62 wrote:
i eat there, the credit crunch has nothing to do with its failure, overpriced poor quality food, the place stayed open on the fact ramsey had been there. funny the argus have never written a piece on how property prices have dropped by 25% over last year or so!! nothing to do with advertising revenue! lol
I agree with mark 62 although he didn't mention loud music and often surly staff. A lot of restaurants get away with being bad in Brighton, because as he says advertising revenue is king. None of the free mags or papers will be honest about a restaurants shortcomings. Finding a half decent place in Brighton is trial and error. Mostly error!

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Jonathon says...
8:47pm Thu 1 Jan 09

All badly run restaurants will close this year, we will not put up with poor food, bad service and an overpriced menu. If any cafe/restaurant is offering buy one get one free watch out because the business is in difficulty.Mind you I think Ramsey to the kiss of death.

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Jim BB says...
7:55am Fri 2 Jan 09

Love's was a lovely restaurant at one point which is why we went there so regularly but Allan got caught up in the tide of fame and became a 'superstar', not the friendly front of house he'd been before and standards slipped. If he'd followed Gordon's advice, kept a better eye on the kitchen, knew what they were doing (he told me he had no idea what food they were ordering in for Christmas) and didn't up to the prices, who knows if he'd still be here - but times are hard and other businesses will go to the wall as well. With so many estate agents going under, he's also lost customers.

But his staff were excellent and I wish them, and Allan, all the best for 2009.

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Ronald says...
12:27pm Fri 2 Jan 09

Fresh cooked fish and chips in Sainsburys £4.99. It's value for money that counts these days!

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Osama bin there says...
12:33pm Fri 2 Jan 09

Ronald wrote:
Fresh cooked fish and chips in Sainsburys £4.99. It's value for money that counts these days!
Yeah.... right. Lovely ambience as well....not..

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Brigadier Monty says...
1:18pm Fri 2 Jan 09

mark 62 wrote:
i eat there, the credit crunch has nothing to do with its failure, overpriced poor quality food, the place stayed open on the fact ramsey had been there.
funny the argus have never written a piece on how property prices have dropped by 25% over last year or so!! nothing to do with advertising revenue! lol
Very true comments. I feel that even though it was transformed by Gordon, it did not last. What is essentially an overpriced posh chippy, I am not surprised it did not last out. I think 2009 will see the best restaurants thrive and the poor ones go, for everyones good!

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Tye says...
5:25pm Fri 2 Jan 09

Osama bin there wrote:
Ronald wrote: Fresh cooked fish and chips in Sainsburys £4.99. It's value for money that counts these days!
Yeah.... right. Lovely ambience as well....not..
Agree, you don't go to a restaurant IF all you're looking for is cheap food
Grow a few spuds in your garden if its cheap or maybe aTesco "value" sausage roll with 4% meat?

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sandwichtoaster says...
5:32pm Fri 2 Jan 09

The Fact he was always **** didnt help matters at all, and like other restaurants who appeared on Gordon Ramsey they thought they could serve up robbish and still people would eat there becouse of the name. This will be a good clear out of poor rubish restaurants who make no effort and make space for new better restaurants.

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The Garden Slug says...
7:05pm Fri 2 Jan 09

I wouldn't mind going over to Ronalds House for Fish n chips! I really should get an invite after all i used to be spencer1973 (one of his faves)

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aaaaaaah says...
11:38am Mon 5 Jan 09

No mention of the return of deposits for NYE or the money paid for gift vouchers...

Nice of Mr Love to continue taking people's money even when he must have known that business was going to close

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