A RESTAURANT who claim to have been a victim of an attempted blackmail threat is not allowing it to affect business.

Grill and Flames, on Foregate Street, in Worcester, has been in the news recently when the manager claimed a removal man was hired and blackmailed the restaurant £1000, while posting a video that went viral.

Jim Janes posted the video on Facebook in an attempt to show the restaurant was unhygienic. In response to this, the restaurant replicated the same footage and explained to viewers the reason they had hired Mr Janes was to remove all unused equipment in the cellar as they are currently in the process of refurbishment.

Limon Rahman, owner of the restaurant said: “The author of the video was hired to remove scrap stored in the cellar area as part of a refurbishment plan whilst the restaurant was closed. Unfortunately, his motive was to blackmail us by purporting to show the restaurant in a negative manner.

“We are not sure whether to proceed with the police complaint due to potential retaliation against the restaurant. We cannot trust what these people may do.

“The most important thing for us to do is keep doing what we are doing and not let this affect the business. In real terms, the day after the event was much quieter than usual, however since the video has been shown to be false there has been a surge of support and bookings for the weekend. We have received a huge amount of support from our diners who recognise the hard work we all put in.”

Speaking about trade after the blackmail claim, Pramod Tirunagari, chef manager, said: “We are happy with the positive comments we have received from the community. We have done our bit, only time will tell if any damage has been done or not.”

The story received many reactions from Worcester News readers.

Motherb said: “Disgusting attempt to extort money by blackmail. Well done to the quick actions of the general manager to shut this kind of thing down, we cannot give in to this kind of thing."

Gemma! said: “Well done for not giving in to a bully and a blackmailer. Jim Janes, assuming that is even his real name, should be arrested and charged with attempted blackmail. What a low life.”