BUNBURY’S Consumer Protection office and the Bunbury Mail have been inundated with calls from customers of local restaurant World Kitchen after it unexpectedly closed its doors this month.
The Mail reported the closure this week and many shocked customers have been left wondering where their wedding receptions will be held after little to no communication from the venue’s management.
Consumer Protection would like to hear from consumers who have paid deposits to World Kitchen, the overarching business The Singing Chef or Little Cornish Restaurant Pty Limited, or owner and John Dudley.
South West regional coordinator Debbie Butler said a visit to the World Kitchen premises on Cobblestone Drive, along with discussions with employees, indicated the restaurant has closed its doors.
The department has not been able to contact Mr Dudley, who appears to have left his residential address.
According to the Australian Securities and Investments Commission the business has not been put into administration or insolvency.
However, the Australian Tax Office has lodged an application for a winding up order in the WA Federal Court and a Directions Hearing is scheduled later this month on September 30.
Charmaine Bennell said she had expected to celebrate her marriage at the World Kitchen in three weeks and had paid a $6000 deposit.
“My partner works fly-in, fly-out and when he was back in town in the middle of August he handed over about $1000 in cash – he was really busy so he didn’t get a receipt,” Ms Bennell said.
“Now we’re frantically trying to find a replacement venue but we can’t really afford it, having already paid a heap of money.
“You can’t really cancel a wedding when you’ve got people coming from all over.”
Consumer Protection Commissioner Anne Driscoll has asked consumers to lodge their details with the department while further information is gathered.
Now we’re frantically trying to find a replacement venue but we can’t really afford it, having already paid a heap of money.
- Bunbury bride-to-be Charmaine Bennell.
“Phone calls we have received lead us to believe a number of people have paid large deposits, equalling thousands of dollars, for upcoming functions, such as weddings,” she said.
Ms Driscoll urged consumers to get in touch with Consumer Protection as soon as possible.
“We will then be able to discuss options and store consumer details to provide updates as we get them,” Ms Driscoll said.
“For the time being I would urge consumers to exercise caution and not make any further payments to this business.”
The Commissioner said this situation highlighted some important general consumer messages.
“While we do not know what is happening with this particular trader, we understand that some consumers have paid by direct bank transfer or using cash and that some may not have receipts,” she said.
“Paying large deposits and receiving nothing in return always carries risks and consumers should consider the benefits of using a credit card, which offers a chargeback (transaction reversal) if the consumer does not receive the goods or services they paid for.”
Consumers are urged to contact 9722 2888 or 1300 30 40 54 or email consumer@commerce.wa.gov.au
