Celeb hot spot Chicane in liquidation, new owner blames Ussi Moniz Da Silva
A Sydney nightclub that was taken over by staff when its owner allegedly fled the country owing millions is back in liquidation.
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A beleaguered Sydney nightclub made famous by celebs and influencers has been plunged into liquidation again, with claims the business failed due to incidents of vandalism, equipment damage, and rumours of criminal activity.
The Saturday Telegraph can reveal Chicane nightclub on Bayswater Rd was put into liquidation in August, with the company owing staff and suppliers more than $360,000.
Chicane opened in April last year, when director Christina Jaucian took over the licence for the Kings Cross hot spot after it suddenly closed amid claims then-owner Ussi Moniz Da Silva owed hundreds of thousands of dollars to suppliers, staff and landlords.
Moniz Da Silva hasn’t been seen since the club – then known as Maali – quickly shut up shop along with his other venues, and it’s believed he is hiding out in Timor Leste. Liquidators have discovered he owes $7.6m to creditors – more than $5m of which is related to unpaid rent.
Ms Jaucian changed the name of the club from Maali to Chicane following Moniz Da Silva’s disappearance, and promised to create a “safe” and “sophisticated” space in the heart of Kings Cross.
But just 18-months after its relaunch, Chicane shut its doors, and the Supreme Court appointed a liquidator to recover company debts owed to staff, suppliers and energy companies.
In a report obtained by The Saturday Telegraph, liquidator Stephen Dixon wrote that Ms Jaucian blamed the former owner – Moniz Da Silva – for the failure of Chicane.
“According to (Ms Jaucian), the previous owner (understood to be Moniz Da Silva) was not in favour of the director acquiring and operating the businesses, leading to incidents of vandalism, equipment damage, and rumours of criminal activity,” the report read.
“These issues led to severe financial losses and negative publicity for the business, eventually leading to a decline in customer numbers.”
Mr Dixon wrote that while he agreed these issues led to financial difficulties, he said there was also inadequate cash flow, poor management and lack of financial tracking; and a lack of working capital.
According to the report, 10 Chicane staff members have been left out of pocket, owed a total of $90,707 in unpaid wages, leave and super.
Bizcap Au Pty Ltd is owed more than $28,000 for an unpaid loan, while Metcash Trading Limited is owed more than $15,000 for stock purchases of alcohol.
AGL is also owed upwards of $42,000 for unpaid electricity bills at Chicane.
The liquidator also detailed further investigation may be necessary, after identifying multiple payments totalling $26,340 that “may be uncommercial”.
The payments were with respect to rent and utilities Ms Jaucian’s personal home address.
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Originally published as Celeb hot spot Chicane in liquidation, new owner blames Ussi Moniz Da Silva
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