Maxwell’s Restaurant Limited calls in liquidators, 400 jobs lost

Maxwell’s Restaurant Limited has gone into liquidation resulting in 400 members of staff being left redundant. 

The restaurant group, which owned popular London venues such as Maxwell’s Bar and Grill, Cafe de Paris and Palm Court Brasserie said “reduced customer numbers” due to Covid-19 was one of the reasons for its closure. 

Despite the group reporting a combined turnover of £30m, the “forced closure of pubs and restaurants on 20 March 2020” led to all the company’s restaurant staff being furloughed and trading ceased. 

At the time, 27 of the administrative staff at head office were also furloughed, with only four remaining staff active to “deal with the management responsibilities and administrative duties of the company”.

When lockdown measures were partially eased this summer only three of its venues were deemed “viable to reopen”.

Martin Halligan of Live Recoveries, Leeds who was appointed liquidator of the company said that negotiations are “ongoing in respect of the reopening of certain restaurants following the current lockdown restrictions.”

Liam Norval, former marketing director of Cafe de Paris added:“ This is truly heart-breaking news. I spent almost a decade at this amazing venue and have some unforgettable memories that I will cherish for the rest of my life. I think back to some of the incredible parties we threw, celebrities we had through the door, the people I met and the friends I made.  

“Café de Paris was an institution and will always be in my heart as I know it will be in many others. The team I worked with over that 10-year span were fantastic, and I call them all very dear friends today, I wish them all the very best of luck. Who knows if this is the end for Café de Paris, I certainly hope not.”