The companies behind three popular east Auckland eateries have been placed into liquidation.
Cooke and Henry Co Limited, trading as Grangers Taphouse and Kitchen, and Italian Stallion Limited, trading as Marina Cantina, and which are both at Half Moon Bay Marina, were placed into liquidation on September 11.
As was The Franklin Limited, trading as The Franklin and which is located in Beachlands.
The NZ Companies Register lists Richard Peter Cooke, of Cockle Bay, and Gina Beryl Henry, of Howick, as directors of the companies.
Grant Bruce Reynolds has been appointed liquidator with his first report issued today, September 18.
Confusion has been growing in the local community over the situation at Grangers and Marina Cantina in recent months, with speculation they were shutting due to issues with their leases.
Granger’s Facebook page is full of comments from people asking if it’s open or is going to close.
But Grangers has posted on Facebook as recently as recently as yesterday, September 17, telling customers it’s open for business.
The first liquidator’s report on Cooke and Henry Co Limited provides information on the history and events prior to liquidation, with the directors providing multiple reasons for the company’s insolvency.
“The company has had cashflow issues, including historical cash problems as a result of Covid-19.
“Cost increases of ingredients; both food and beverages; lower sales as a result of the cost of living crisis; employee costs, including increases to minimum wages; issue with the landlord, including the landlord chose not to renew the lease and instead gave the lease to another operator, although there was no default by the company.
“As the company had no lease, or the lease was about to expire, it was forced to sell its business to the new lessee.
“The new lessee was able to purchase the company business on advantageous terms.
“As a result, the company ceased trading when it sold its business to the lessee, the proceeds from the sale did not allow for creditors to be repaid in full.
“The pre-liquidation arrangement the company had with Inland Revenue is in default.”
The document lists unsecured creditors as Inland Revenue, Alsco, Dispense Worx, Euro Vintage, Foxes Island, Half Moon Bay Marina, Image Concepts, National Fire Protection, Next Advisory, One Music, Peregrine Wines, Procure Liquore, Prodotti, Rentokil, Sanz Global, Service Foods, Sky Television, and Te Matuku Oysters.
Under the statement of affairs, the total preferential claims are listed as being $259,727, while the figure for total unsecured creditors is $74,056.
New Zealand’s hospitality sector has been struggling for some time with numerous eateries closing their doors.
Industry leaders have labelled the current situation a “crisis” and say it’s tougher now than during Covid-19.
The Times has contacted Half Moon Bay Marina management and the new owners of Grangers and Marina Cantina for comment.
More to come.
