Eatery dished up $57k debt

A SANCTUARY Cove restaurant that went into liquidation this month had been taken to court by a supplier over a $57,000 debt.

Court records show Artichoke Restaurant owed Charis Seafoods Wholesale $52,203 for seafood supplied between October 2018 and March 2020, and an extra $5220 for debt collection costs.

Lawyers for Charis sought a wind-up order for Artichoke, on the grounds of insolvency, as well as costs.

The application was dismissed on March 4, two days after Artichoke founder Grant Madgwick, 53, ceased as a director and shareholder in the restaurant.

He was replaced by Sydney resident Jamyson TaylorLeigh Curthill, also 53.

Artichoke Restaurant was placed into liquidation on April 8, with Jason Bing-fai Tang of Cor Cordis in Sydney appointed liquidator. The Bulletin tried to contact the liquidator for information about the debts owed by the company and the reasons for its liquidation. Mr Madgwick could not be contacted.

Mr Madgwick had vowed in February to re-open after the eatery was fined almost $7000 and ordered to close under the Public Health Act.

A former Artichoke staff member last week said Mr Madgwick had abandoned the city to operate another venue further north.

Mr Madgwick has created two new companies in the past month, Meatloaf Australia and Roots Catering.

Neither has a registered ABN and both are located in Forrest Beach, a seaside village outside of Ingham and about 100km north of Townsville.

In February, Mr Madgwick said he lost a significant amount of money during the earlier stages of the coronavirus pandemic.