An investigation has been launched after Gino D’Acampo’s restaurant chain shut down with debts of more than £5m.
Liquidators at Azets have begun an inquiry into why company documents have gone missing as well as the conduct of major stakeholders. The star's business had been known as Gino D'Acampo Worldwide Restaurant Limited until it changed its name in January last year to IRG (OLD) WWR Limited.
According to recently-filed documents with Companies House, the business had debts of almost £5.4m when it entered liquidation. In April 2022, the company, which is owned by the This Morning TV chef, 46, and his wife Jessica, declared itself solvent and two directors signed a declaration stating that it had no creditors.
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The 'whereabouts of the company books and records' will also be investigated. According to the latest report filed at Companies House, the liquidators' estimated fees will total £275,276 - £149,459 for the 'investigations'.
This will reflects the 'time spent by us and our staff in dealing with the company’s affairs', according to official documents.
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Previously filed company accounts show that Gino D'Acampo Worldwide Restaurants had five sites when it became part of Individual Restaurants Group in 2019. However, five Gino D'Acampo My Restaurant sites were renamed under Individual Restaurants' Riva Blu brand in January 2022.
Individual Restaurants was sold to Ice Acquisitions, which is controlled by the founder of supermarket chain Iceland, for over £40m in November 2020.
Gino D’Acampo’s representatives have been contacted for comment.
