Emily's restaurant in Formby will remain open after its parent company, Rebel Restaurants Group, entered administration. The restaurant, on Brows Lane, has been popular with diners across Merseyside since opening four years ago.
Administration and New Ownership
Rebel Restaurants Group fell into administration on Monday, August 10, and resolutions have been submitted for the winding-up of the firm, according to documents seen by the ECHO. The restaurant confirmed on Tuesday, August 11, that it will continue trading under a new company, West Coast Dining Formby, set up at the end of June.
The firm said Emily's will "continue as normal". In a statement, Rebel Restaurants said there had been "considerable pressure on the company from an early stage".
Financial Pressures
The statement detailed the challenges: "Like many businesses operating within the hospitality sector the company has faced significant financial pressures. The substantial costs associated with opening and establishing a new hospitality business; combined with continued increases in operating costs, placed considerable pressure on the company from an early stage."
"These challenges were further compounded by increases in employment costs, including changes to employer National Insurance contributions and thresholds, alongside rising wages, utilities, food costs and other operating expenses. Establishing a new independent hospitality business is challenging at the best of times. Furthermore, the combination of these pressures meant Rebel Restaurants Group ltd continued to face significant cost challenges despite the growing popularity and success of Emily's. Ultimately, these pressures resulted in the company entering administration."
Future Investment
In the same statement, new owners West Coast Dining Formby promised to invest in Emily's. A spokesperson for Emily's said: "Our absolute priority was to protect Emily's and everything that has been built around it. The acquisition by West Coast Dining Formby achieves that and most importantly, provides the opportunity for further investment into the business."
"This isn't the end of Emil's story. It is the beginning of its next chapter. With new investment and a strong platform behind the business, the focus now is on continuing to grow Emily's, supporting our team and ensuring we continue to provide the food, service and experience our customers have come to expect. We would particularly like to thank our team, our loyal customers and the Formby community for the incredible support they have shown Emily's over the last four years. We are genuinely excited about what comes next."
