Honeypot Cafe in liquidation again

Christchurch’s Honeypot Cafe has gone into liquidation for a second time, owing at least $250,000.

Owners Brendan and Sophie Alcock took over the Colombo St cafe on August 7, 2013, after the previous company running it went into liquidation.

The couple, who were new to the hospitality industry, are now trying to sell the business after their company, Sanders Ltd, also went into liquidation.

An initial liquidators report said the company owed at least $250,000.

Liquidators were appointed on November 2, after all of the cafe’s staff were made redundant.

A list of eight secured creditors included ANZ, which was owed $238,000. The report said the liquidators were yet to receive a claim from Inland Revenue for any outstanding tax obligations.

The liquidators estimated there would be no funds available for unsecured creditors, with nearly $13,000 owed.

The Honeypot Cafe’s original building in Lichfield St was demolished after the February 2011 earthquake.

Former owner Rob Gould said at the time that he made a ‘‘significant investment’’ to move it to Sydenham, but the ‘‘gamble’’ did not pay off.

His company, Honeypot Cafe Ltd, was placed into liquidation in July 2013, with debts of more than $600,000.

At the time the cafe reopened, new owner Brendan Alcock said he did not want to see it disappear from the city. ‘‘We have lost enough. ‘‘The last owner did well to try and re-establish it. I think Sydenham is a fantastic area. There is heaps happening.’’