Thompson was forced to let 16 members of staff at the Greyhound in Rotherfield Peppard, Berkshire, go with immediate effect on Sunday. The television chef put this down to a sudden drop in bookings during the downturn, explaining that he was struggling to pay the rent. He stated: "I have applied to the landlord twice to lower the rent but he wouldn't budge. I have taken advice and have been told the rent is probably double what it should be in the current climate." "It has gone back to being like the Seventies. We had a busy Saturday and Sunday but the business during the week had dropped right off." Thompson hopes the move will secure the future of his other restaurants.