Jamie Oliver has closed two of his Recipease stores in Brighton and Clapham in order to focus on the chain’s Notting Hill branch.

The loss-making stores were closed after five years, although staff at the branches were apparently not told until they were asked to leave the premises mid-shift at the Brighton store and a member of staff at the Clapham store arrived to find the doors locked.

A spokesman for Jamie Oliver's company said: “I'm told no-one turned up to find the doors closed but yes staff did find out on the day of closure.

“Obviously it was a very difficult decision to close the stores. A consultation process has already begun with Recipease staff affected and we have found alternative employment within the business for many of them.

“As for the customers affected, although there is understandable disappointment, all are in the process of being reimbursed or their classes moved to the flagship Notting Hill Recipease.”