Bierkeller parent company placed into administration
The business was founded in 2010 and oversees the brands Bierkeller, Around The World, Shooters Bar and a Smokin’ Bar & Kitchen site in Leeds.
Andrew Mackenzie and Julian Pitts of Begbies Traynor in Leeds were appointed as joint administrators for the Burning Night Group on 28 September 2018.
The pair were also appointed as joint administrators of Cornertrack Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Burning Night which supplied beer to the venues, on 9 October 2018.
Other brands under the Burning Nights Group will be unaffected by the administration notices.
There have been no redundancies since the administration.
Buyer sought
The administrators said a buyer was being sought for the five Bierkeller venues in Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester, Birmingham and Nottingham.
The announcement follows the closure of a Bierkeller venue in Cardiff. Located at the Millennium Stadium, the site was not financially viable and had a detrimental impact on costs for the company.
All the other Bierkeller Entertainment Complexes experienced growth over the past financial year and expect further growth. These sites will continue to trade as usual, administrators stressed.
Good revenues
Bierkeller venues employ more than 500 staff across the country and took in revenue in excess of £25m in 2017/2018.
Joint administrator Andrew Mackenzie said: “It is important to stress that the companies which own the Bierkeller leases are not in administration and we are working closely with management and lenders to continue to trade these prime assets to their full.
"We are currently seeking a buyer for the venues in order to bring about the best outcome for the company’s creditors, staff and customers.”
Leisure property specialists Davis Coffer Lyons were appointed as the property agent to dispose of the Bierkeller venues on 15 October 2018.
Paul Tallentyre, executive director for pubs and bars at Davis Coffer Lyons, said: “The group of venues include some fantastic sites in great condition with the potential to roll the Bierkeller concept out in other cities.”
