TV chef sells up as credit crunch bites
Aug 29 2008 by Chris Robinson, The Journal
GEORDIE celebrity chef Terry Miller is selling his upmarket Rockafella restaurant after falling victim to the credit crunch.
The Hell’s Kitchen winner, who opened the eatery in Newcastle just under three years ago, closed on Saturday and a van was spotted clearing out goods yesterday.
Last night, the larger-than-life chef’s wife, Linda, said she was devastated with their decision, saying if they did not close now they faced going bust.
The family are now ploughing all their efforts into their second business, Millers Catering, based at Newcastle Airport.
Mr Miller, 50, who won £250,000 after triumphing on the ITV1 show, even had to make his son Graeme, 25, redundant as restaurant manager.
The gourmet outlet is on the market for £50,000, with a 33-year lease available for £33,000 a year.
It features a fully-fitted kitchen and tables and chairs, which have played host to a string of celebrities including Denise Welch and Alan Shearer since opening in December 2005.
Last night, Mrs Miller said they were “devastated” with the decision, but had no choice with spiraling food prices and increased rates.
The 55-year-old, from Darras Hall, Ponteland, said: “We are just shutting down before we go bust.
“It came to the point that we just couldn’t cope any more. The price of food is just unbelievable and you can’t put your food up any more than what it is.
“The way the economic climate is, people just can’t afford to eat out any more. The first thing to go are the luxuries.
“It’s devastating, we have put all the winnings that Terry won in there plus a lot of our own money.
“It is a fabulous restaurant, but unless we spend every last minute of our lives in there then we are not going to able to make a go at it.”
Newcastle-based agents Christie & Co revealed the 80-seater restaurant, in Amen Corner, The Side, has already received a number of bookings to be viewed.
Mrs Miller said that due to increased rates and the cost of the price of living other North East businesses are also struggling.
But they hope it will be sold as a going concern.
She said: “Our numbers have gone down and we haven’t put the food up, we have tried to reduce it.
“The rates have doubled since we went in there, then you have your rent and staff, then all the food and the price of that, but you can only cope for so long.”
For previous stories about Terry Miller, click on the links below:
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