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THE bitter dispute between Bolton Wanderers and their catering partner, owned by well-known local chef Paul Heathcote, has come to the boil once again.
Just 24 hours after news emerged that a winding-up petition had been filed against the club for a debt of more than £200,000, it has now come to light that an agreement to pay the outstanding money and avoid court proceedings has broken down.
Bolton chairman Ken Anderson said yesterday he had “reluctantly” instructed his accountants to issue payment to Special Catering Company (SCC) and Heathcote & Co despite looking to sever the club’s ties with the companies.
But a statement issued by Mr Anderson through the club yesterday has confirmed the payment has not been made.
“The payment was stopped because SCC/Heathcotes would not remedy the breaches nor give any undertaking as not to repeat them,” it read.
Mr Anderson had voiced his opinions on “loss making” commercial contracts he had inherited from the previous regime, condemning a “shambolic legacy”.
He also questioned whether Mr Heathcote’s decision to file a winding-up order to reclaim the debt was congruent with a “life-long supporter” of Wanderers.
Mr Heathcote’s staff will be supplying food and drink at this Sunday’s Challenge Cup semi-finals at The University of Bolton Stadium, responded with a statement of his own, released to The Bolton News.
“It’s highly unfortunate that I feel it necessary to make a further statement in response to Mr Anderson’s note of yesterday 48 hours before a prestigious Rugby League event, a televised semi-final that so many of the team have contributed and worked so hard in bringing to the stadium.
“It could have been hugely distracting however we have a very professional team and I am confident of their abilities. I thank them once again for their immense efforts. I have a duty to protect their jobs, give them security and pay them on time along with our local suppliers.
“In a world of fast moving stories it is very easy to damage and walk away with little or no regard for the long term effects of the larger community.
“The club has a high level of investment from Heathcote & Co. We intend to reassure our clients, customers and the team that we intend to see the contract out. To be absolutely clear, the hotel has not served notice to terminate the contract (as Mr Anderson alleges) and there is no legal basis to do so. We have been extremely patient and accommodating at numerous junctures when the club has been in difficulties. The team has performed to an extremely high level against a backdrop of adversity and difficult challenges all well documented.
“Heathcote & Co are proud of their 1st and 2nd places, 4 in 5 years in The Stadium Hospitality Awards, a prestigious National event that encompasses all types of stadia and event centres. It is a ceremony represented by most major Football Clubs. I am very proud of their achievements.
“Mr Anderson’s visits to Bolton are almost totally confined exclusively to home match days with occasional stopovers on evening matches. The day to day work orchestrated by myself and the team happens on the ground in conjunction with the hotel and their professional and dedicated people led by Suzanne Speak.
“The only time such “disputes” have occurred are when on a number of occasions the hotel has been unable to pay its debts as and when they fall due. On this particular occasion it started in early July. In spite of this, with a high level of concert and rugby attendance in the pipeline, Heathcote & Co once again attempted to support the club and continued to provide service.
“The current position is that the figure quoted in the press in the last few days is very close to being accurate. Absent a payment in the interim, the debt will increase to over £300,000 after this weekend.
“It’s disappointing as a supporter who went to his first game at the age of six with his Great Grandmother and then over 50 years later as an owner of business, that such a highly inaccurate, defamatory statement can be made by Mr Anderson. My lawyers have been instructed accordingly.
“As things stand, we still continue to await payment notwithstanding the content of Mr Anderson’s note of yesterday.
“I stand by my earlier statement, my first duty is to look after my wonderful, local and dedicated people who work with me, and trust my leadership.”
Anderson claims he did service notice of the termination on July 27 to Heathcote & Co’s legal representatives.
The Wanderers chairman added there have been no payment problems until very recently when the alleged breaches of agreement had taken place – and that SCC/Heathcote & Co had been responsible solely for the hospitality at the recent concerts involving Little Mix, and The Killers, and the forthcoming Challenge Cup semi-finals, and not the organisation.
http://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/news/16398429.bolton-wanderers-row-with-chef-paul-heathcote-reaches-the-boil/
Just 24 hours after news emerged that a winding-up petition had been filed against the club for a debt of more than £200,000, it has now come to light that an agreement to pay the outstanding money and avoid court proceedings has broken down.
Bolton chairman Ken Anderson said yesterday he had “reluctantly” instructed his accountants to issue payment to Special Catering Company (SCC) and Heathcote & Co despite looking to sever the club’s ties with the companies.
But a statement issued by Mr Anderson through the club yesterday has confirmed the payment has not been made.
“The payment was stopped because SCC/Heathcotes would not remedy the breaches nor give any undertaking as not to repeat them,” it read.
Mr Anderson had voiced his opinions on “loss making” commercial contracts he had inherited from the previous regime, condemning a “shambolic legacy”.
He also questioned whether Mr Heathcote’s decision to file a winding-up order to reclaim the debt was congruent with a “life-long supporter” of Wanderers.
Mr Heathcote’s staff will be supplying food and drink at this Sunday’s Challenge Cup semi-finals at The University of Bolton Stadium, responded with a statement of his own, released to The Bolton News.
“It’s highly unfortunate that I feel it necessary to make a further statement in response to Mr Anderson’s note of yesterday 48 hours before a prestigious Rugby League event, a televised semi-final that so many of the team have contributed and worked so hard in bringing to the stadium.
“It could have been hugely distracting however we have a very professional team and I am confident of their abilities. I thank them once again for their immense efforts. I have a duty to protect their jobs, give them security and pay them on time along with our local suppliers.
“In a world of fast moving stories it is very easy to damage and walk away with little or no regard for the long term effects of the larger community.
“The club has a high level of investment from Heathcote & Co. We intend to reassure our clients, customers and the team that we intend to see the contract out. To be absolutely clear, the hotel has not served notice to terminate the contract (as Mr Anderson alleges) and there is no legal basis to do so. We have been extremely patient and accommodating at numerous junctures when the club has been in difficulties. The team has performed to an extremely high level against a backdrop of adversity and difficult challenges all well documented.
“Heathcote & Co are proud of their 1st and 2nd places, 4 in 5 years in The Stadium Hospitality Awards, a prestigious National event that encompasses all types of stadia and event centres. It is a ceremony represented by most major Football Clubs. I am very proud of their achievements.
“Mr Anderson’s visits to Bolton are almost totally confined exclusively to home match days with occasional stopovers on evening matches. The day to day work orchestrated by myself and the team happens on the ground in conjunction with the hotel and their professional and dedicated people led by Suzanne Speak.
“The only time such “disputes” have occurred are when on a number of occasions the hotel has been unable to pay its debts as and when they fall due. On this particular occasion it started in early July. In spite of this, with a high level of concert and rugby attendance in the pipeline, Heathcote & Co once again attempted to support the club and continued to provide service.
“The current position is that the figure quoted in the press in the last few days is very close to being accurate. Absent a payment in the interim, the debt will increase to over £300,000 after this weekend.
“It’s disappointing as a supporter who went to his first game at the age of six with his Great Grandmother and then over 50 years later as an owner of business, that such a highly inaccurate, defamatory statement can be made by Mr Anderson. My lawyers have been instructed accordingly.
“As things stand, we still continue to await payment notwithstanding the content of Mr Anderson’s note of yesterday.
“I stand by my earlier statement, my first duty is to look after my wonderful, local and dedicated people who work with me, and trust my leadership.”
Anderson claims he did service notice of the termination on July 27 to Heathcote & Co’s legal representatives.
The Wanderers chairman added there have been no payment problems until very recently when the alleged breaches of agreement had taken place – and that SCC/Heathcote & Co had been responsible solely for the hospitality at the recent concerts involving Little Mix, and The Killers, and the forthcoming Challenge Cup semi-finals, and not the organisation.
http://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/news/16398429.bolton-wanderers-row-with-chef-paul-heathcote-reaches-the-boil/
