Company linked to Gold Coast butcher Salt & Co goes into liquidation as creditors lay claim to more than $30k in monies owed

A Gold Coast company linked to a chain of gourmet butchers has been placed into liquidation owing more than $34,000 with the business blaming the Robina Town Centre operator for the failure.

A GOLD Coast company linked to a chain of gourmet butchers has been placed into liquidation owing more than $34,000 with the business blaming the Robina Town Centre operator for the failure.

Salt & Co Meats Pty Ltd was placed into liquidation on May 11 following Supreme Court action by creditor, Tamworth-based Warmoll Foods to wind up the company over an $8000 unpaid debt.

The sole director of Salt & Co Meats is Palm Beach resident Samantha Williamson and the principal place of business is listed as Westfield Coomera.

Salt & Co, which supplies dry aged meat and Wagyu beef to the public and high-end restaurants, has a number of stores in addition to Coomera including one at Pacific Fair as well as another under construction at Pavilions in Palm Beach.

Salt & Co has butchers at Pacific Fair and Westfield Coomera.

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The Bulletin contacted the Coomera store and was referred to Ms Williamson’s husband Rhys Williamson for comment.

Mr Williamson, who said he worked for his wife in the business, said Salt & Co Meats Pty Ltd operated the Robina store.

He said the debt was a result of delays caused by Robina Town Centre operator, the Queensland Investment Corporation, in opening the store in time for Christmas.

Salt & Co is currently seeking compensation from QIC in the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal.

Salt & Co supplies the public and high-end restaurants with gourmet quality meat. Picture: iStock

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Robina Town Centre general manager Kathleen Hart declined to comment specifically on Mr Williamson’s allegations stating the matter was “commercial in confidence”.

“While we maintain that Robina Town Centre has acted in accordance with all obligations, as

lease discussions are commercial-in-confidence, and out of respect for all our retail partners,

we are unable to speak in detail about this matter,” she said.

“Robina Town Centre endeavours to always act with goodwill in all interactions with retail

partners.”

Mr Williamson alleged beside the delay to opening the store, QIC also failed to facilitate the construction of a cooking area, which was to provide 30 per cent of his store’s revenue.

He said the Robina store was to comprise of a steakhouse and butchery.

“The shop didn’t open until early January.”

Mr Williamson said that was the start of financial losses for the store, which closed in late March after QIC took possession of the shop.

He also claimed QIC owe him $220,000 relating to the fit-out of the shop.

“I missed the Christmas trade and then all of a sudden I can’t afford to pay guys who I probably should be paying.”

Mr Williamson said he had offered Warmoll Foods partial payment of the $8000 owed but this was declined with the company deciding to press forward with the wind up action.

He said he has also offered partial payment to Queensland grazier Tim Somes, who is owed $17,000.

Another related company, Salt & Co (Pacific Fair) Pty Ltd has had a statutory demand lodged against it by WorkCover.

Mr Williamson said he had entered into a payment plan with WorkCover with the case due to return to the Supreme Court of Queensland on June 25.

Worrells’ Jason Bettles, who was appointed liquidator, said neither Ms Williamson nor Mr Williamson have returned multiple calls and text messages.

He said there is another creditor in addition to Warmoll Foods, an electrical contractor owed $9500 for work completed at Robina and Palm Beach.