THE owners of a fusion food cafe in Bolton have shut up shop and called in the administrators.

Basic Kneads, in Market Place, opened before the pandemic, offering a Mediterranean twist on some classic British staples.

Three friends from Bury, Damien Daintry, Paul Tait and John Brazier, were behind the venture, which opened in former Mezzo restaurant on the centre’s upper floor in April 2019, delivering Southern European versions of fish and chips, pies and fish cakes.

Mr Daintry, who first met his colleagues at catering college, said then: “Basic Kneads is all about community, locally sourced produce and wholesome food.”

But in notices posted with the London Gazette, it has now been confirmed the eaterie has ceased trading.

Company chairman Mr Daintry convened a general meeting of the outfit, at the offices of administrators Royce Peeling Green, in Salford, on November 24.

And a decision was made to appoint Alex Kachani and Gareth Hunt, both of RPG, as joint administrators.

Further resolutions were then made for the company to be voluntarily wound up.

Any creditors must contact the administrators at their offices in The Copper Room, Deva City Office Parkm Trinity Way, before January 6, to make any claims in the liquidation.

The latest company accounts for Basic Kneads, released last August, show while there was an operating loss of £36,318 for 2019, the same figure for 2020, after the impact of the pandemic on the catering world hit, had risen to £140,840.

Mr Daintry, who has interests in two catering firms, Social Scene and YBK, and the piemaker Empieor, and Mr Brazier, remained as directors. But Mr Tait stepped down in September.

Several hospitality firms have suffered across Bolton in the wake of the pandemic and the constant changing opening demands of lockdown.

The phone line for Basic Kneads is currently inoperative and their Facebook account was also down.

The administrators had also declined to comment byt the time The Bolton News was going to press.