The MacMerry 300 pub chain is being acquired from liquidation by companies controlled by its founders, The Courier can reveal.
On Wednesday liquidators were appointed for MacMerry 300 and all 63 staff made redundant.
HMRC has applied to have the company, which runs several venues across Dundee, wound up.
It blamed cost pressures and allegations from staff that the company failed to deal with sexual harassment complaints as well as basic hygiene and safety issues.
However, The Courier has seen a letter sent to staff from Belford Ltd stating it is acquiring the venues.
It says staff will move over to the business under the same terms and conditions.
MacMerry 300 directors to still control venues
There is a direct link between Belford Limited and MacMerry 300.
According to Companies House, Belford’s sole director is AJ Mcmenemy, one of the men who set up MacMerry 300 with Phil Donaldson.
The business was formerly known as Abandon Ship Bar Limited and Abandon Ship Bar Glasgow Limited.
It changed its name for a third time to Belford Limited in May this year.
The company’s former directors include Mr Donaldson and Richard Davies, the man responsible for the distinctive Abandon Ship artwork. He quit the business last month.
Belford Ltd is currently classed as a ‘dormant company’ with cash in the bank of just £100.
While Mr Mcmenemy is the sole director of Belford, the company is majority owned by yet another business – Bromley & Bolton Limited.
Companies House shows Bromley & Bolton was incorporated in February this year.
Its sole director, with between 50% and 75% of its shareholding, is the other MacMerry 300 founder and director of the liquidated business, Phil Donaldson.
New boss looking for ‘smooth’ transition
A letter sent to staff detailed the takeover.
It reads: “Belford Limited will be acquiring the trading venues of Macmerry 300 Limited which entered into insolvency today.
“You will be formally made redundant by telephone after 4pm today by the insolvency practitioner, however Belford Limited will be transferring your employment with the same conditions as you previously had with Macmerry 300 Limited.
“Any wage, outstanding holiday and pension contributions will become the responsibility of Belford Limited.”
It adds the new company wants to make the transition “as smooth as possible without any disruption to yourselves or the business.”
A spokesperson for liquidators Interpath Advisory said: “We understand that most of the assets of Macmerry300 were transferred to Belford Limited prior to our appointment.
“We will be required to investigate this transfer of assets as part of our statutory duties.”
Union given assurances over jobs
Earlier this year, Macmerry 300 was accused of mistreating staff, claims the company had previously denied.
A union-backed document listing more than 60 alleged wrongdoings.
The allegations ranged from covering up a Covid-19 outbreak to bullying and pay problems.
There were also claims about unsanitary working conditions.
A spokesman for Unite the union said: “Following discussions between Unite and Mr Donaldson, we have been assured that all of these workers are to be re-engaged to work for Belford Ltd. who will be taking over ownership of these bars.
“Our members have since received engagement letters to that effect from Belford Director AJ Mcmenemy.
“We hope that Mr Donaldson and Mr Mcmenemy will continue to communicate with our members in a positive way and ensure that the terms and conditions of all workers will be protected.”
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