Tom Aikens' suppliers owed 'thousands'

Tom Aikens' two London restaurants which fell into administration now owe suppliers thousands of pounds, according to reports on Bloomberg.com.

Tom Aikens and Tom's Kitchen both based in London's Chelsea area were bought by private investors but news is now emerging that despite the restaurants continuing to trade, suppliers to the eateries have been left out of pocket.

Rodney Macken, of Macken Brothers Ltd. butchers, of Chiswick told Bloomberg.com: "We're about £53,000 out of pocket. Tom called me on Saturday and said the company had gone into administration and I'd have to contact the administrator. Tom said he was sorry about what had happened but we're very worried. We're a small family butcher. This hit us like a tidal wave."

A spokesperson for Aikens told Richard Vines from Bloomberg.com that the chef would be contacting his 160 suppliers to discuss the situation and what will happen going forward.

Peter Grosvenor of Jefferson's Seafoods, another supplier to the restaurants explained his situation: "I spoke to Tom and he assured me the other two restaurants were fine so we kept supplying them. We can weather the storm, but no one wants to lose that sort of money. It's very irritating."

Weblink: www.bloomberg.com

Words: Clare Riley

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