The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Woman behind failed restaurant set to open new business in city
Joint director of eatery lost 2015 court battle over unpaid bills
A businesswoman who lost a bitter court case after the collapse of a Broughty Ferry restaurant is opening a new venture in Dundee.
In 2015 contractor Michael Mcgregor, of MEM Electrical, succeeded in legal action against Catherine Rae, the owner of Beach Hut.
The businesswoman, who now goes by the surname Stout, is one of two directors behind a new food venture on Perth Road. Companies House states the other director, Mark Lenton, is based in Bristol.
Kate’s Kitchen Street Food is currently being kitted out where Mcdermott’s once was.
Her previous business in Broughty Ferry’s Brook Street suddenly closed and numerous reports of unpaid staff and bills quickly followed.
Former employees spoke to The Courier anonymously, raising concerns since learning of her new restaurant.
One said: “Perhaps she is a reformed character but she seems at least someone to keep an eye on as she didn’t pay people lasttimeandi’dhateforpeopletobeoutof pocket ahead of Christmas.”
Several traders claimed they had not been paid by Ms Stout when the shortlived Beach Hut collapsed, including catering suppliers and staff, butchers, fishmongers and tradesmen.
Mr Mcgregor successfully sued her for £2,394 plus interest after she failed to pay him for electrical work.
At the time, Mr Mcgregor said he did not expect to see the money, which turned out to be prophetic.
He said this week he never got paid and clerks at Dundee Sheriff Court told him directly after the case it was unlikely he would as she had no assets at the time.
He said: “I was really angry At the time I spoke to some of the girls that worked for her and they said they weren’t paid either. As a worker for several years, I was able to take the hit but it must have been really tough on them.”
When approached for comment, Ms Stout became confrontational and pushed a reporter out of the Perth Road premises.
She then made two phone calls to The Courier, during which she boasted about her English degree but refused to answer any questions about the new business or the Beach Hut’s closure.