The future of The Fat Duck and other restaurants founded by Heston Blumenthal is in doubt after HM Revenue & Customs issued a winding-up petition against the chef’s parent company.
HMRC has moved against SL6 Ltd, which owns The Fat Duck in Bray, Berkshire, alongside the one-Michelin-starred The Hinds Head and several affiliated ventures. Around 130 staff are understood to be at risk should the petition proceed.
The action follows a further deterioration in the group’s finances. Accounts filed at Companies House show SL6 Ltd recorded a loss of £2.05m for the year to 2024, up from £1.39m the previous year, despite turnover of £8.9m.
Administrative expenses totalled £8.4m, including £2.3m in cost of sales, while staff costs rose to £4.07m, reflecting inflationary pressure and higher wage bills.
The company’s accounts reveal total debts of £2.7m, including £1.67m owed in taxation and social security and £5,417 in corporation tax. It also reported a bank overdraft of £806,091, more than the £697,605 held in cash, alongside several outstanding bank loans.
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