Eastbourne seafront restaurant ‘intends to appoint administrators’

The restaurant at the Wish Tower site is due to open today (Wednesday) following the lockdown caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

According to hospitality trade website Propel, the restaurant chain was to file a notice of intent to appoint administrators on July 3.

Administrators KPMG have not commented on the news but officials believe a process could see Bistrot Pierre’s current backer agree a deal on the group’s debt and continue to back the business through a pre-pack administration. It could also lead to the company trimming its estate.

A source close to the business told Propel the company has increasingly struggled with the size of debt built against it but that it is working with stakeholders to find a positive solution for the business to go forward.

A spokesperson at Bistrot Pierre said the company had filed a notice of intention to appoint administrators as a process to protect the company while potential solutions are being investigated.

The spokesperson said, “The management is committed to supporting the business to enable a successful re-opening of sites as quickly as possible. We are delighted our Eastbourne Bistrot will be open and trading from lunchtime today (July 8).”

A spokesperson at Eastbourne council said the local authority had “been kept fully briefed by the team at Bistrot Pierre and it is very much business as usual, with social distancing”.

Bistrot Pierre opened in November last year on the site of the old Wish Tower Restaurant.

The building was paid for from cash pledged to Eastbourne council from the government to boost tourism following the Eastbourne Pier fire in July 2014.

Bistrot Pierre finally won the contract to operate the new eatery after a series of failed negotiations with celebrity chef and broadcaster Rick Stein.

According to the restaurant’s website, the Eastbourne eatery is now open for business with bookings being taken.

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