A businessman has come under fire after his Sandbanks restaurant went into liquidation with more than £600,000 of debts, including thousands owed to local suppliers.
Andy Price abruptly closed the The Tandy eatery in January with the loss of all the staff after running into financial troubles.
The restaurant, which is next to Rick Stein’s dining venue on the millionaires row in Poole, Dorset, is reportedly in debt to 52 different creditors.
They include the HMRC who are owed £164,000 and a host of local food producers who are due a thousands of pounds each.
But although RK Peninsula Ltd, the company name for The Tandy, fell into voluntary liquidation last month, The Tandy website is advertising for new jobs on its website for an Easter reopening.
The restaurant’s advert states: ‘We’re building a new team at one of the most beautiful beachside locations.
‘This is your chance to be part of an exciting new chapter with great opportunities in a stunning setting.’
The positions are for bartenders, back of bar staff, front of house, duty manager, head chef and sous chef.
Sandbanks restaurant The Tandy went into liquidation with more than £600,000 of debts, including thousands owed to local suppliers
Andy Price (pictured) abruptly closed the The Tandy eatery in January with the loss of all the staff after running into financial troubles
But although RK Peninsula Ltd, the company name for The Tandy, fell into voluntary liquidation last month, The Tandy website is advertising for new jobs on its website for an Easter reopening
One anonymous supplier said they believed the business has been taken over by new directors, who would not be liable to repay the creditors.
Mr Price, 64, and his wife Toni Laurel Spence opened the restaurant in early 2023.
David Meany and Gary Thompson, liquidators at Quantuma, have listed 52 company creditors in a statement of affairs to Companies House.
It includes Bournemouth beach seafront restaurant Westbeach, which is owed £214,000 and Aruba, also in the seaside town, which is owed £173,000.
BCP Council is owed £2,938, meat supplier County Foods, of Poole, £1,291 and fishmonger Hutchings, of Bournemouth, £2,320.
Liquidating a company is a formal process where the company’s assets are sold to repay creditors and other liabilities.
Another supplier said they were ‘unhappy’ about not being paid what they were owed but they did not want to comment further to jeopardise any attempt to get the money back.
The restaurant, which is next to Rick Stein’s dining venue on the millionaires row in Poole, Dorset, is reportedly in debt to 52 different creditors
The Tandy’s future sparked debate on social media.
Laura Connolly said: ‘Be open again soon, probably sold for £1 for a debt free refurbished restart.’
Ian Dixon added: ‘I’m not surprised whatsoever. It’s the worst place we’ve ever been to since moving here in 2022.’