Christophe Novelli wins injunction to stop pub owners using his name

23rd June 2009, 3:26pm

Celebrity chef Jean-Christophe Novelli has won an injunction from the High Court, which will ensure the new owners of a gastropub do not use his name to promote it.

According to a report in local newspaper the St Albans and Harpenden Review, Urban and Country Inns which bought the White Horse must now make sure that menus and signs do not have the Novelli name on them.

Frosted glass panes bearing his name must also be replaced with one week.

Novelli told the newspaper: "I had previously been a shareholder and consultant to The White Horse in Harpenden and The French Horn in Steppingly.

"Sweet Medicine, the company managing the venues, not my company I must add, ceased trading in January of this year due mainly to directorship disputes. I had no control or direct involvement over that company and I am upset that the public were led to believe that I did.

"This whole episode has been very upsetting. The new owners have abused the trust of my loyal customers and staff, some of whom have been visiting my restaurants and working with me for the last 18 years. From the general public celebrating special occasions to high profile celebrities, including David and Victoria Beckham, many people have been deceived into believing that I was still responsible for the chefs, the running of the kitchen, creating the menus and the overall presentation of the restaurants.

"I am also very disappointed that my name has been attached to debts of £1 million. I would like to assure everyone that when I was involved with the gastro-pubs, debts of that magnitude most certainly did not exist. It is also disappointing for me that I was not able to exercise any control or give any advice as to who should take over The White Horse."

Related Articles:

• 10 Mar 2009 - Spend a day alongside Jean-Christophe Novelli
• 09 Feb 2009 - Bad weekend for celebrity chefs
• 02 Jul 2008 - Jean-Christophe Novelli launches food course and website
• 04 Jan 2008 - Novelli to speak at creative catering conference
• 07 Sep 2007 - Celebrity chef receives Honorary Doctorate

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