A well-known Cardiff chef has been forced to close his popular seafood bar following a series of break-ins that have left him with emotional and financial strain.

Lee Skeet, a former Gordon Ramsay trainee and head chef at the Michelin-starred Hedone in London, opened Jackson’s in February 2023.

The restaurant quickly gained a reputation for its delicious oysters and seafood, earning an average rating of 4.6 stars from over 50 reviews on Google.

However, despite the restaurant’s success, Skeet has faced repeated challenges that ultimately led to the difficult decision to relocate his business.

Multiple Break-Ins and Rising Tensions

Skeet, 39, revealed that since the restaurant’s opening, it has been burgled a staggering eight times.

He described disturbing incidents, including confrontations with armed thieves and an armed robbery on the premises.

The strain of these repeated attacks, both physically and emotionally, eventually took its toll on him.

“In the last year, we’ve been broken into eight times.

I don’t know how much we’ve lost, but it’s been a substantial amount – we’ve had iPads, money, and alcohol stolen,” Skeet said.

The final straw came when, just recently, he arrived at the restaurant to discover another break-in, this time with around £6,000 worth of goods and cash taken.

Police Action and Continued Struggles

While there was some justice for the restaurant with the arrest of a 42-year-old man named Matthew Young for stealing a tip jar in November, the issue of crime at Jackson’s persisted.

Young was sentenced to 20 weeks in jail after being identified through CCTV and facial recognition technology. Yet, the security issues at Jackson’s were far from over.

Skeet recalled one break-in where burglars managed to climb through a broken window after pulling off the board that was used to cover it.

“We’ve had armed robberies, people armed with knives, and we’ve had to tackle them.

I’ve caught five robbers over the last year when I’ve been inside while they’ve broken in,” he said.

At one point, he was even sleeping in the restaurant to protect it from intruders.

Moving on for Health and Family

After much consideration, Skeet decided it was time to step away from Jackson’s.

“I’m taking a step back from Jackson’s, and my business partner is going to relocate it elsewhere in Cardiff, where hopefully there will be less crime,” he said.

This move is partly driven by Skeet’s ongoing battle with a serious health issue, and he hopes it will also allow him to spend more time with his family.

His other restaurant, Cora, which has also received attention for being featured in the Michelin Guide, will continue to operate as usual.

Skeet’s business partner will oversee the relocation of Jackson’s, which he expects to take “a couple of months.”

Frustrations with Crime in Cardiff

Skeet expressed his growing frustration with the rising crime rate in Cardiff, especially in the area surrounding his restaurants.

“I felt like a security guard during Jackson’s final months,” he said, noting that he had spent much of his time protecting the business rather than focusing on his role as a chef.

He also mentioned the broader problem of drug-related crime in the area, which he feels is being largely ignored.

In the arcade where Jackson’s is located, Skeet noted there were at least 20 break-ins over the past year involving other traders.

“There is such a big drug problem in town, and no one is doing anything about it. It’s out of control,” he added.

Skeet has worked tirelessly for two years without taking a break, juggling the challenges of his business and ongoing medical visits.

Looking Forward to a Fresh Start

With the end of his lease at the Duke Street Arcade, Skeet saw an opportunity to leave on good terms and start anew.

“We’d come to the end of our second year of the lease, so it was a chance to leave amicably,” he said.

Although Skeet’s departure marks the end of an era for Jackson’s at its current location, he’s hopeful that relocating the restaurant will provide a fresh start for the business.

South Wales Police are working closely with arcade management to improve security measures, with Inspector Adrian Snook commenting on the impact crime has had on small businesses like Jackson’s.

He acknowledged the crucial role such businesses play in the city center and the devastating effect crime can have on their owners.

This article was published on TDPel Media. Thanks for reading!

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