Jamie to go Italian at Canary Wharf

JAMIE Oliver today announced that he is to open a restaurant in Canary Wharf.

Following his crusade to improve school meals and change the nation's eating habits, the television chef will open a branch of Jamie's Italian in the Docklands financial quarter. It will follow similar bistros in Kingston, Oxford and Bath based on dishes from his cookbooks. The latest location, which has been hit hard by banking job losses, underlines the belief that diners want more affordable restaurants.

The Churchill Place Mall bistro is due to open next autumn. Oliver, 33, originally conceived Jamie's Italian, which is lower priced than his Fifteen chain, for university towns. He plans 25 outlets, with branches in Brighton and Cambridge. The menu offers pasta dishes, fresh breads, antipasti, salads and grills.