The future of a popular rooftop bar has been thrown into doubt after the business was evicted by the landlords, while another city centre venue has filed for liquidation.
A sign at the entrance to Socialite, which gives impressive views of Canterbury Cathedral, confirmed the owners had taken back control of the building.
Socialite formed part of the Slatters Hotel redevelopment in Canterbury
Meanwhile, The Loft, another bar located just a few doors down from Socialite, has responded to doubts over its future after accounts showed bosses have filed to wind up the business owing £110,000.
However, its owner has insisted the venue, which has been a fixture of Canterbury’s nightlife scene for more than 20 years, will remain open and new partners are set to come on board.
Socialite opened to much fanfare in 2022 as part of the grand redevelopment of the former Slatters Hotel site in St Margaret’s Street.
However, four years and a day after signing a lease, the company was unceremoniously locked out – with owners Slatters Development taking back control of the building.
A note left on the door dated January 22 gives little detail as to the reasons behind the eviction.
But it states the “lease is forfeited” in accordance with a clause in the lease agreement.
The Loft in Canterbury
Multiple attempts by KentOnline to contact Slatters Development for further information have gone unanswered.
The notice advises any interested party connected to affairs at Socialite should contact Slatters or the neighbouring Hampton by Hilton reception desk.
However, when approached by KentOnline, staff at the Hampton at Hilton hotel said, beyond the bar being closed for good, they too are in the dark as to what has happened.
The loss of the bar could prove to be a major blow for the £20 million development, which has struggled to attract further tenants.
The former Slatters Hotel was knocked down and rebuilt as part of a long-awaited project, relaunching as Hampton by Hilton in 2021.
But two ground-floor commercial spots earmarked for retail or food and drink firms have never been filled.
Socialite opened in 2022
A bid to alter the conditions of the building – allowing a wider range of businesses to move in – was approved two years ago but has still failed to welcome new businesses.
Meanwhile, a few doors down the road, company records show The Loft is being wound up owing £110,000, half of which is owed to HM Revenue and Customs.
But the venue’s director and owner, Angela Long, insists the business is “fully solvent”, its debts have been cleared and the venue will remain open.
She says she is winding down her company due to personal health reasons.
Companies House records show the company was placed into voluntary liquidation last month, with an unpaid VAT bill of £30,000 and income tax bill of £900 and just £3,840 in the bank.
The paperwork also shows Loft Canterbury was due to receive an “inter-company loan” worth £132,000, but the accounts now show none of this is expected to be provided.
Socialite has been suddenly shut after a notice was placed on the door saying the landlords had taken back control of the building
A further £24,600 is owed to HMRC, while an account titled “Canterbury City Council Rates” is owed £3,876 and Barclays Bank’s “Business Banking Insolvency Team” is owed £32,000.
Another company owned by Mrs Long, City Wall Canterbury Limited, is also listed as being owed £14,799 by Loft Canterbury Ltd.
Responding to KentOnline, Mrs Long issued a defiant statement, saying the 22-year-old business will stay open, declaring it “fully solvent” and its debts have been cleared.
“I own the lease, I own the building, everything. It’s all been done because I need to make sure it’s all fresh,” she said.
“I’m taking on two partners just because I’ve got a serious health problem.
“I’ve been open there for 22 years, and it’s a busy place, so I’m not going to leave there.
“I suppose it would look like that [closing to avoid paying debts], but it’s actually not like that; it’s just a personal health thing that I’m doing.
“There won’t be any debt there – we’ve always been a profitable business.”
Insolvency experts Anderson Brookes were appointed by Mrs Long on January 19 to wind up the company.
The firm told KentOnline it was “unlikely that the creditors will be paid in full”.
The administrators have agreed to Mrs Long’s request to liquidate the company.
HMRC declined to comment, citing taxpayer confidentiality.