POTENTIAL restaurateurs have expressed interest in taking over Bunbury’s prime World Kitchen site after it was unexpectedly abandoned this month.
The Bunbury Mail understands there have been inquiries into the lease of the building on the banks of the Leschenault Inlet, which is owned by the Bunbury Rowing Club.
Bunbury’s Consumer Protection office and the Mail have been inundated with calls from shocked customers who 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 John Dudley.
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 handed over about $1000 in cash at the middle of August – 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.”
Bunbury woman Erin Jackson had lost an $800 deposit paid to hold a Princess Margaret Hospital fundraising event at the venue next year, but was overjoyed when an anonymous donor covered the cost this week.
Consumer Protection Commi- ssioner Anne Driscoll has asked consumers to lodge their details with the department while further information is gathered.
She urged consumers to contact 1300 30 40 54.