DEVASTATED former employees of a failed Isle of Wight seafront restaurant have been left owed more than £21,000 in unpaid wages — taking the business's total disclosed debts beyond £75,000.
Le Goût de la Mer, which traded from The Bandstand on Culver Parade, Sandown, from March this year, ceased trading last month (August) before entering liquidation.
The County Press recently revealed the company, A.B. Sur Mesure London Ltd, owed unsecured creditors £53,970.51.
It includes debts to Isle of Wight suppliers, HM Revenue and Customs, finance companies and credit card providers.
However, a statement of affairs filed as part of the liquidation also shows Hana and Alexandre Bourgeois owe 13 members of staff a combined £21,426.82 in unpaid wages.
The figures mean total liabilities disclosed so far exceed £75,000.
Among the largest outstanding staff wage claims are between £2,923.32 and £4,639.47.
One former employee said workers have been left facing significant financial losses following the restaurant's collapse.
The unnamed staff member told the County Press: “Some of us were owed over £4,000 in unpaid wages, which we will never see now that they have gone into liquidation.
“I quit just before they closed. I think this should be brought to light.”
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The former worker's comments came after the restaurateurs were questioned by the County Press over the unpaid wages, and around £10,000 allegedly in utility debts.
The closure of the French seafood restaurant on August 5 came as a shock to customers and staff alike.
Le Goût de la Mer had been operating from one of Sandown's most recognisable seafront landmarks.
The business claimed it had closed following independent professional health and safety advice concerning premises-related matters requiring further assessment.
Previously disclosed liquidation documents showed the largest unsecured debts included £14,500 owed to HM Revenue and Customs, £11,937 to Federal Capital Ltd, £8,104.33 in combined banking and credit card debts, £6,380.80 to Quantum Finance and £3,000 to Got Capital Ltd.
In a further statement, Mr and Mrs Bourgeois said: “We will not be commenting on, or confirming the figures referred to.
“Our decision not to comment should not be taken as an admission or acceptance of any allegation.
“We will not be responding to any further matters as it sits in confidentiality with the insolvency practitioner.”
The liquidation also resulted in the surrender of the lease at The Bandstand, with the seafront venue now set to be marketed for sale.
Its owner, Paul Rowling, bought the former bandstand building in 2013.
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