Related News
-
City business leaders are invited to Liverpool Business Week - 09/07/12
-
-
A big party to celebrate Southport Pleasureland\'s big birthday - 09/07/12 -
Law firm teams up with Anfield Business Centre to support local start ups - 06/07/12 -
The companies that own Liverpool bars Korova and Babycream have gone into administration.
Korova Corporation, and Babycream called in the administrators a week ago. The two bars, which are both still open for business, have been put up for sale by the administrator.
Korova bar in Liverpool city centre, which was designed in equal partnership with indie heroes Ladytron became a powerhouse for live music in the city.
But the future of some of Korova owner Rob Gutmann’s other bars in the city also seemed to be in question yesterday.
The Circo and Raven bars at the Albert Dock, also owned by Mr Gutmann and listed on the Korova group website, appeared to be open as normal.
But four other members of the Korova “family” – the Geisha bar and restaurant in Myrtle Street, city centre, and three venues in Woolton – appeared to be closed.
Business critics in the city pointed out that Rob Guttman was too quick to expand his bar chain empire and the business model was unsustainable.
Korova were unavailable for comment.
Last month a spokesman for the Korova group of bars revealed they were working to rescue its “small pubs” division, but would not comment on which venues were affected.
Steven Williams, of administrator Begbies Traynor in Preston, said Mr Gutmann and fellow director Jon Ritchie were still operating Korova and Babycream as going concerns while the administrators tried to find buyers.
He said: “It’s still early days, but sale is a likelihood in due course.
“There’s no sale as yet, but the former directors are trying to put a deal together to acquire them back from us.”
Korova Corporation’s website lists eight Liverpool bars as “Korova Corp. Venues” – Circo, Geisha, Korova, Babycream, Negresco Sud in Lark Lane, and three Woolton venues – Casa del Cocodrilo, Fargo and Negresco Deco.
It also lists Negresco Nord in Manchester, but reports in Manchester media say it has been closed and the business sold.
Last month Mr Gutmann announced he was opening a new venue on the new “leisure terrace” at £1bn shopping centre Liverpool One.
