An investigation has been launched into the £5.38 million of debt left by the collapse of a restaurant chain part-owned by TV presenter Gino D’Acampo.
D’Acampo, known for his cook books and appearances on This Morning, also has become something of restaurateur, with a sideline in Italian-themed eateries.
The company, previously known as ‘Gino D’Acampo Worldwide Restaurant Limited’, was re-named in January last year to ‘IRG (OLD) WWR Limited’. D’Acampo held a 10% stake, while 75% belonged to Individual Restaurants Group (IRG).
The restaurants were re-branded as Riva Blu, also in January 2022 – at the time, D’Acampo lamented that the change had been made without his consent. In April 2022, the business was declared solvent. But, by that July, joint liquidators had been appointed.
The investigation now taking place, estimated to cost in the region of £150,000, is reportedly looking into the sudden appearance of a creditor who is owed £5.38m, the “whereabouts of the company books and records”, and the conduct of the company’s directors.
Elliot Green, an insolvency practitioner from Oliver Elliot Chartered Accountants, told The Sun about his interpretation of the cost of the investigation: “Plainly it seems they consider there is a substantial amount of investigation work for them unscramble. Their fee estimate appears to include provision for the possibility of some legal action although they do say no such actions have been decided upon.”
WLC has contacted Individual Restaurant Group for a statement on the matter.
Earlier this year, D’Acampo’s restaurant in Liverpool received a one out of five hygiene rating from the Food Standards Agency.
This article was originally published by the drinks business and has been shared with permission.
