Criniti’s customers chase refunds for Xmas, NYE bookings and gift vouchers
Following the closure of several Criniti’s restaurants, administrators have acted swiftly as they attempt to contact employees and creditors owed money. They are also looking to get hold of customers who booked functions over the festive season.
Manly
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The administrators of the troubled Criniti’s restaurant chain are tracking down creditors and workers owed money after five of the Italian eateries permanently closed their doors on Tuesday.
Customers who had booked Christmas and New Year’s Eve functions at the Manly, Wollongong and Kirrawee outlets, or bought meal gift vouchers, will also be contacted about possible refunds.
The Criniti family called in voluntary administrators this week to help keep the restaurant chain, which started with its Parramatta outlet in 2003, afloat.
Five of its 13 eateries — Manly, Wollongong, Kirrawee, Brisbane and Perth – abruptly shut their doors on Tuesday to ensure the long-term sustainability of the remaining eight.
Family patriarch Cosimo Criniti said: “These stores were underperforming, they were losing money.”
The other restaurants in NSW — Parramatta, Wetherill Park, Castle Hill, Darling Harbour and Woolloomooloo — remain open.
The administrators, Worrells Solvency and Forensic Accountants, spent Wednesday trying to contact employees who lost their jobs.
A spokesman said it was also speaking with trade creditors.
The administrators have started looking at the liabilities of the business to its retail customers, including gift certificates and the pre-bookings.
“The decision to close certain stores was made quickly but deliberately,” a Worrells’ spokesman said.
“With the hospitality industry employing a high number of casual employees, the administrators were focused yesterday on getting in touch with all casual, part and full time employees across all stores, as well as contacting suppliers and other trade creditors.”
Staff were told of decision to close the restaurants at staff meetings held on Tuesday.
“There is never a good way to deliver this kind of news and we understand the shock, disappointment and trepidation felt by Criniti’s loyal staff”, the Worrell’s spokesman said.
“While of little consolation to affected employees, by acting quickly to stem losses we are giving remaining employees a better prospect of ongoing work and all creditors a greater chance of being paid”.
But some employees fear they will not receive their entitlements.
David Papa, manager of Criniti’s in Manly, told 7News that staff, some with children, had “lost everything in one day”.
“People with family, people with kids, in one day they lose everything,” Mr Papa said.
“We don’t know when we get our money.”
Mr Papa also revealed that the restaurant was shut suddenly.
“People came inside and it was like from now on guys everyone loses their jobs.”