The co-owner of a Dundee restaurant which plunged into administration is behind plans to create a new business on the site.
Dr Rami Sarraf and Brassica’s general manager Nikos Matsikas intend to set up a new restaurant called Brasserie Ecosse on the premises after administrators UHY Hacker Young accepted a bid for the business.
Staff who worked at Brassica, and walked out in protest over unpaid wages earlier this month, have been offered positions at the new restaurant.
But it is understood few are willing to return to work in the new premises as they are still owed hundreds of pounds in wages.
Staff were sent letters from the administrators this week informing them they have been included among Brassica’s creditors.
Brassica was operated by a company called Tayone Food, whose directors are listed on Companies House as Dr Sarraf and Dea McGill.
Notices were put up in the restaurant’s windows on Tuesday stating a new firm called Brasserie Ecosse has taken over the premises and would be launching an “exciting new venture soon”.
One former employee said staff had been invited to a meeting earlier this week with Dr Sarraf and Mr Matsika.
They are understood to have told those in attendance they were unaware of Brassica’s financial predicament until staff walked out.
But they said they intend to re-open a new restaurant on the same site soon.
One former employee said: “It is Nikos and Rami who are starting the new business.
“They sent out an email a few nights ago asking if everybody wanted to go down to hear about their vision for the new restaurant but I don’t think many people went.
“They say they want to get the Brassica team back together but I don’t know if that will happen.
“Quite a few have found other jobs so I don’t know who they will be left with.”
The former staff member added: “We got letters from the administrators this week saying we are among the creditors.
“Staff think they will be the last to get paid.”
Mr Sarraf, a dentist who owns several business in Dundee, has been unavailable for comment since Brassica was forced to close down last month.
Ms McGill has also been unavailable for comment.
Meanwhile, artworks loaned to Brassica last month have been returned to to Edinburgh’s Arusha Gallery.
The restaurant wanted to launch its own exhibition space.
A spokeswoman for Arusha Gallery said: “Arusha Gallery exhibited some artworks at the Brassica restaurant last month, as part of the Dundee waterfront celebrations around the opening of the V&A at Dundee.
“This satellite exhibition was always intended as temporary and the works have been returned to Arusha Gallery.”
