GORDON Ramsay yesterday closed Amaryllis, his only Scottish restaurant, raising fears he could have overstretched himself in the competitive world of first-rate eateries.
The closure of Glasgow's only Michelin-starred restaurant comes just days after the 36-year-old celebrity chef shut Fleur, Amaryllis's sister restaurant, in London. Gordon Ramsay Holdings, the restaurant's owners, announced it was closing Amaryllis, at One Devonshire Gardens, to focus all its operations in London.
One of the 24 employees who lost their jobs said: ''Obviously we knew Gordon had closed one of his restaurants in London but we didn't think things were this bad. There was no warning that this was going to happen and we are all very angry about the way we have been treated.''
Another said: ''We were all just starting our shifts as normal when we got hauled into a meeting. Nobody could believe it when we were told the restaurant was closing down, it was the last thing we expected.''
Amaryllis was supposed to be the jewel in Glasgow's culinary crown, bringing a slice of London haute cuisine and dining sophistication to Scotland.
After opening in April 2001, it quickly became the haunt of celebrities and food connoisseurs and was widely regarded as one of the best eating places in the country. It won a Michelin star in January 2002.
A host of A list stars including Robbie Williams, Elton John, and Rod Stewart have dined at the restaurant.
Justin Timberlake is staying at One Devonshire Gardens while performing in Glasgow but will now be unable to sample Ramsay's cuisine in the city.
Iain Fleming, of The Buttery, one of Scotland's finest restaurants, said he was not surprised by the announcement.
He said: ''Amaryllis was a great dining experience but it was too exclusive. Amaryllis was often considered as a place for one-off occasions and I think they would have been looking for more volume.
''The trading pattern in Glasgow is rather different than in London. I will be far more interested to see what is put in its place.''
Alan Tomkins, chair of the Glasgow Restaurateurs Association, said: ''When you run a quality restaurant, the overheads can be onerous. At the top end of the restaurant business, the costs can be overbearing.
''We are obviously disappointed that such a high-profile business has ceased trading. Hopefully, Mr Ramsay will try again in Glasgow.''
The announcement was so sudden that customers who had booked tables for lunch yesterday were turned away at the door.
Alasdair MacDonald arrived with his wife Sheena, expecting lunch. Mr MacDonald said: ''We have come all the way from Edinburgh and the restaurant actually phoned us yesterday to make sure we were still coming. Then one day later this happens.''
Ian Freshney, from Bearsden, said: ''We were expecting to come in for a meal today and then I got a call at 11.10am and was told that lunch was not available today.
''There was no apology and no explanation. I am devastated as we have been planning to come here for some time.''
Neil Johnson had planned a romantic birthday dinner with his partner in the sumptuous surroundings.
Mr Johnson, from Glasgow, said: ''I had dinner booked for tonight and then I received a message from London at around 1pm saying that due to unforeseen circumstances the restaurant would not be able to honour the booking.
''I tried to get through to London several times and there was no answer. I was given no information and there was no discussion of compensation.
''When you come to an establishment such as Amaryllis you expect better treatment. I have been treated shabbily, especially for a place with such a great reputation.''
A statement yesterday said the closure was the result of negotiations between Gordon Ramsay Holdings and Citrus Hotels, the parent company of One Devonshire Gardens.
A spokesman for Gordon Ramsay Holdings said: ''We are sorry to be closing Amaryllis in Glasgow but it is in line with our strategy to consolidate our operations in London.''
Citrus Hotels said it would be implementing ''a new fine dining experience'' in the Amaryllis site as part of a (pounds) 2m refurbishment.
Stephen McCorkell, director of Citrus Hotels, said: ''One Devonshire has always enjoyed a fantastic reputation for cuisine and it is our intention to continue that tradition with the introduction of a new and innovative dining experience.
''To do this we shall be taking back the restaurant in House No 1, where Amaryllis is located, and it is our intention
to enhance the environment and reintroduce the type of dining that proved so successful for One Devonshire in the past.''
a passion for food
Gordon Ramsay has a number of business interests and has also published several books:
Gordon Ramsay Holdings, reportedly has two restaurants in Dubai, and a consultancy for Singapore Airlines.
He also runs four of London's top restaurants: Gordon Ramsay, Petrus, Claridge's and The Connaught.
He is said to be planning to open a restaurant on Manhattan's Columbus Circle.
Passion for Flavour, his first book, was published in October 1996. Passion for Seafood, his second book, was published in May 1999.
A third book, A Chef for all Seasons was published in September 2000 and
Just Desserts hit the
bookshelves in September 2001.
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