'Kitchen Nightmares' restaurant goes bust

A restaurant that featured in Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares has gone into administration with £200,000 debt.

Brighton diner Momma Cherri's was transformed into a successful business in the Channel 4 series, in which chef Gordon Ramsay aims to save struggling eateries.

Mum-of-two Charita Jones bought bigger premises and employed 30 staff to expand the restaurant on Ramsay's advice, and was named Sussex Entrepreneur of the Year at the Sussex Business Awards in 2006.

She also published her own recipe book Momma Cherri's Soul In A Bowl following her appearance on the programme.

However, the 52-year-old has now closed the diner three years after the revamp, saying: "We were plagued with bad luck. With the book deal, television, and all the promotion I was doing, I took my eye off the ball.

"I'm just sorry for the disappointment this has caused, but I am doing my best. My only regret is expanding too fast and trying to please everyone."

She said she had no regrets about doing the show, adding: "I just wish they would do a follow-up programme where they teach you how to attract the right backers.

"This is my problem, it's not Gordon's. I don't blame the show in any way. I've never been a quitter. I'm not going to let this push me into the ground. I shall rise."

Jones’ 28-year old daughter Katryna is to re-open Momma Cherri’s on Saturday after reaching an agreement with the administrators.