Accountant buys restaurant out of liquidation
SHEFFIELD restaurant Silversmiths, which made headlines following a visit from Gordon Ramsay has been bought out of liquidation.
Michael Standerline, a former accountant who qualified in 1977, was introduced to the food and drink industry after launching his own accountancy firm in 1980.
Key clients including Michelin-trained sommelier Xavier LeBellego introduced Mr Standerline to the restaurant world. Now their restaurant services business, Farley Pub and Restaurant Services, has branches in Reading, Bath and South Wales. He also co-owns Forbury’s Restaurant and Wine Bar in Reading.
Sheffield restaurant SIlversmiths was placed into liquidation this month, but under Graywoods liquidator Adrian Graham, the business has found a new owner in Mr Standerline.
His involvement has saved 12 jobs at the restaurant, which had faced cash flow difficulties prior to its appointment of Graywoods.
Former director Justin Rowntree liquidated S-One City Ltd under a corporate voluntary arrangement on 24 August 2016.
Silversmiths Restaurants Ltd, based at Omega Court in Sheffield, which was incorporated on 5 August will take over the restaurant.
Mr Standerline has a strong history in Sheffield. His grandfather operated Marshall Brothers of Thomas Street one of the last metalwork manufacturers for coffins in the UK and his father became chief mining engineer for the National Coal Board.
In an interview with the Sheffield Telegraph, Mr Standerline said that Silversmiths was a “stand-out” restaurant for Sheffield, citing a visit by Gordon Ramsay in 2007 as the turning point for the eatery which was formerly a club called Runway Girl. He is a particular fan of his Tuesday pie and steak night which still runs to this day.
The new owners have plans to open Silversmiths for breakfast and lunch as well as dinner, capitalising on day crowds.
Graywoods was formed at the beginning of the year by Deborah Lockwood and Adrian Graham. They expanded with the acquisition of Rotherham’s Moorhead Savage in April 2016.
