Ramsay closure threat in tax battle
Gordon Ramsay could face the closure of two of his restaurants over unpaid tax debts.
HM Revenue and Customs applied to the High Court for winding-up petitions for three of the TV chef's London restaurants and a fourth at Heathrow Airport -- two of which were thrown out.
Ramsay (43) who did not attend yesterday's hearing, was handed a two-week reprieve to pay debts on his Plane Food airport restaurant while he waited for a cheque to clear and 63 days on his Maze restaurant in Mayfair.
The judge earlier dismissed two of the petitions, against The Narrow in Limehouse and The Restaurant Gordon Ramsay in Chelsea, because the debts had been paid.
It has been a turbulent business year for Ramsay. In July, profits from his British restaurants plunged by nearly 90pc. He also recently sold his Ferrari to help get his restaurant empire back on track.
hnews@herald.ie
- Tom Rayner
