Three companies linked to sydney hospitality operator Jared Merlino have collapsed into liquidation, leaving creditors owed more than $2.4 million and forcing the closure of several well-known venues.
Jared Merlino’s companies are responsible for Italian restaurant Bartolo and New York-style cocktail bar Kittyhawk – both of which have shut their doors – and Darlinghurst eatery Big Poppa’s, which is temporarily closed.
Hospitality and labour hire companies linked to Sydney venues Kittyhawk and Big Poppa’s owed creditors more than $2.2 million when they collapsed into liquidation.
Barrel Barons, which operated Kittyhawk, entered voluntary liquidation in May owing almost $1.8 million, while labour hire company Barrel Barons Cash Money was placed into liquidation in February.
According to ASIC reports lodged by liquidator Nicarson Natkunarajah of Rogers Reidy, creditors of Barrel Barons Cash Money are owed $499,842, including $426,009 to the Australian Taxation Office and $36,917 to employees.
Creditors of Barrel Barons are claiming a further $1.77 million, including $1.65 million owed to related parties.
Mr Natkunarajah told The Daily Telegraph the companies may have traded while insolvent, citing undercapitalisation, weak…