Blazin’ Grill restaurant has liquidator appointed
By Hayden Moore
A LIQUIDATOR has been appointed to The Blazin’ Grill restaurant after it abruptly closed its doors last month.
After nine years in the food industry, the restaurant, which is located on Cookstown Way, shut up shop at the end of July following almost a decade of serving the community.
The Blazin’ Grill abruptly closed its doors last month
The appointment of Grant Thornton was made to wind up the business following a meeting of the creditors on July 24, almost nine years to the day since the establishment of the company by brothers Shane, Lee and James McCabe.
Since the closure, The Echo has learned that a customer was sold a voucher for The Blazin’ Grill on July 8, as a gift for their grandmother’s birthday, with them unable to use it just three weeks later following the sudden closure of the restaurant.
After multiple failed calls to the restaurant in an attempt to book a table, they decided to make their way down to the premises where they were met with a note on the front door.
The note, which is still pinned to the front door, reads: “Closed until further notice!! Apologies for any inconvenience. Management”
Speaking to The Echo on behalf of The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, a spokesperson from Carr Communication highlighted what can be done for customers in similar situations who have purchased a voucher from a business that later goes into liquidation.
“Unfortunately, when a business closes, consumer rights are severely diminished,” they explained.
“If you have a voucher for a restaurant that goes out of business before you get to use it, you become an unsecured creditor.
“If a liquidator is appointed to wind up the company, you must register your claim for the value of your voucher with this official. Your claim will only be considered after secured creditors have been paid, such as banks and the shop’s staff, so realistically it will be very difficult to get your gift voucher honoured.”
However, it was further explained that a chargeback could be completed.
This is possible when a voucher that is purchased using a credit or debit card is reversed by way of the buyer contacting their debit or credit card provider.
The Echo reached out to Managing Director, Lee McCabe of The Blazin’ Grill Ltd for comment on several occasions but to no avail.
Also reaching out to Grant Thornton, The Echo did not receive any comment.
For further information on disputed card transactions or chargeback, see www.ccpc.ie/consumers/shopping/disputed-card-transactions-chargeback/
