The heat is on Ivy boss over faulty air conditioning claim
RICHARD CARING, the billionaire restaurateur and nightclub owner, has been hit with a legal action over claims that leaking air conditioning units at his restaurants meant customers were forced to dine in sweltering temperatures.
Caprice Holdings, which is owned by Mr Caring, has been accused of unfair dismissal by a former employee who claims he was sacked after blowing the whistle on the company for failing to fix leaking units.
Diners at the Ivy Collection’s Brighton site endured faulty air conditioning in the hot summer months of 2021, court documents seen by The Daily Telegraph claim.
The case, which has been brought by the company’s former head of engineering, Ryan Mccabe, alleged that broken air conditioning systems were left unrepaired for months at the Ivy in Brighton and weeks at the Chelsea site, on King’s Road. While those visiting the company’s Chelsea Garden restaurant were spared because units were being topped up with fresh refrigerant, Mr Mccabe said bosses were reluctant to close the site over fear of losing trade.
Following an examination of the Chelsea restaurant on Sept 7 2021, Mr Mccabe urged bosses to close the outlet after finding four leaks.
However, Mr Mccabe claimed he received resistance from the company.
Court documents said: “One reason for the pushback was that the Chelsea Flower Show would take place the following day, on Sept 8, and due to the site’s location and popularity, it was set to be one of the restaurant’s busiest days in the year.”
Mr Caring said: “We have no choice but to go to the tribunal, which I believe we will win.”
The case will go before an employment tribunal tomorrow. Caprice Holdings declined to comment.