ONE of the most upmarket bars in Douglas has closed.
The Mailbox restaurant and deli was in a building on Circular Road in the capital.
The board of directors this afternoon issued a statement. It reads: ‘We wish to advise that The Mailbox restaurant and deli was closed to business . . . following the failure of negotiations to sell the business as a going concern to new investors.
‘The directors of Rivertown Limited, the company which owns The Mailbox, convened a board meeting yesterday morning to consider what options might remain available to them to enable the company to continue trading.
‘A liquidation expert was invited to attend the Meeting and detailed consideration was given to ways in which it might be possible for the company to continue trading, thus providing the board with a window of opportunity to seek alternative potential purchasers.
‘Regrettably, having listened to the advice given, the directors were left with no alternative but to make arrangements for the company to cease trading forthwith. Accordingly, the managers and staff were informed of the position and the company subsequently ceased to trade at 3pm yesterday afternoon.
‘Pursuant to Section 226 of the Isle of Man Companies Acts 1931 2004, the directors are required to call a meeting of the creditors. This meeting will take place at Capital House on December 3, 2012, at 2pm, in order that a liquidator may be appointed as required under Sections 227-229 of the above mentioned Acts. Advertisements for the attention of creditors will be placed in two local newspapers at the earliest opportunity.
‘The Mailbox has taken a number of Christmas party bookings and the directors will give assistance to customers who wish to relocate their bookings to other local establishments. Direct contact will be made with customers during the course of this week.’
The statement ends: ‘The directors would like to thank the many customers, staff and suppliers that have supported The Mailbox over recent months and years. No stone has been left unturned in attempts to secure the future of The Mailbox and it is with great sadness that the directors have been left with no alternative but to pursue this unpleasant course of action.
‘For further information, please write to the directors, Rivertown Limited, Capital House, Circular Road, Douglas, IM1 1AG, or e-mail info@themailbox.co.im.’
There will be more on this story in this week’s Manx Independent.