Administration process started at restaurant businesses

Two restaurant businesses with sites in Manchester and Liverpool, as well as Leeds and Glasgow, have gone into administration.

Blackhouse and Newgate Restaurants, both subsidiaries of Knutsford-based Living Ventures, have appointed Duff & Phelps as administrators.

Among the Blackhouse sites affected is the Manchester Steakhouse Grill on New York Street. Olive Restaurant, in Liverpool, is owned by Newgate.

Blackhouse was due to exit a Company Voluntary Arrangement (CVA) process which it had agreed with creditors in March earlier this year.

However, this was impacted by the coronavirus pandemic which led to all UK restaurants and entertainment venues being shut down.

Blackhouse managing director, Scott Grimbleby, said: “We have explored every avenue possible to try to save the business, however we have been left with no choice but to take this incredibly difficult decision now.

“We are working with all our teams to try and support them as best we can through this time.

“The administrators will be seeking to find a buyer for the businesses.”

The Blackhouse steakhouse brand made a post-tax loss of £1.3m in the year to March 30, 2018.

Living Ventures sites are not affected by the administration process.