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MacMerry 300: Dundee bar chain at risk of collapse after HMRC asks courts to wind up company

macmerry sexual misconduct probe
Phil Donaldson heads up the Dundee-based bar and restaurant chain.

A Dundee bar chain at the centre of a mass grievance from staff is in danger of collapsing.

HMRC has applied to have MacMerry 300, the company which runs Abandon Ship in Dundee as well as similar bars in Glasgow and London, wound up.

Earlier this year, staff accused bosses at the firm of failing to deal with sexual harassment complaints as well as basic hygiene and safety issues.

More than 50 current and former staff also claimed a Christmas Covid outbreak had been covered up.

The allegations were made in a dossier released by the union Unite.

macmerry dundee
Staff levelled many accusations at the Dundee bar bosses in January.

The firm’s directors said they would investigate the allegations.

An external investigator was appointed to look into its handling of sexual misconduct allegations.

In May, Richard Davies – whose Abandon Ship clothing line was the inspiration for the bar of the same name – stepped away from the business.

In a social media post, he said recent months have been “incredibly difficult for all involved, not just myself”.

Winding up petition filed

Now the future of MacMerry 300 could be in jeopardy.

A winding up petition was filed at Dundee Sheriff Court on May 27.

The request to close MacMerry 300, which also runs Bird and Bear, Draffens and Nola in Dundee, was made by the Advocate General for Scotland on behalf of HMRC.

dundee macmerry covid
Draffens is one of the pubs in Dundee owned by Macmerry 300.

A posting on The Gazette, the Government’s UK’s official public record, notes that HMRC requests Macmerry300 Ltd “be wound up by the Court and to appoint a liquidator”.

HMRC said it was unable to disclose the reasons for its request.

An HMRC spokesperson said: “We support customers with tax debts and work with them to find the best solution based on their financial circumstances.”

Companies are usually wound up by HMRC when they have looked at all alternative routes of reclaiming tax debts.

A buyer in place, union claims

MacMerry 300 was set up in 2010 by two directors AJ McMenemy and Phil Donaldson.

It has 14 venues across Scotland.

A spokesman for Unite the union said it had spoken with Mr Donaldson.

He has told the union a buyer is in place for the MacMerry 300 venues, which would secure the future of its employees.

The spokesman said: “Unite members across Macmerry and Abandon Ship were shocked to read in the newspaper that their employer had gone into liquidation and their jobs potentially put at risk.

“We’ve since secured assurances from MacMerry 300 director Phil Donaldson that a buyer is in place.”

The spokesman said Mr Donaldson has given assurances he is doing “everything he can” to make sure “absolutely everyone” keeps their jobs.

The union spokesman added: “Whatever happens to these companies, Unite will be doing everything we can to make certain that every job is retained and that our members’ terms and conditions are protected.”

Mr Donaldson and Mr McMenemy have been contacted for a response.

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