Member Article

Independent Quayside bar saved following liquidation

Fifteen full and part time jobs have been saved following the sale of Ouseburn based Cafe Bar, Ernest.

Ernest Bar, a well known member of the Ouseburn business community has been trading for two and half years.

In addition to rising costs, the business had historic debts from the start-up phase that had become insurmountable and has therefore been forced to convene meetings to enter liquidation on 19th January.

The proposed liquidators, Robson Scott Associates Limited, based in Darlington and Gosforth, had been working with the company’s director Gavin Marshall to find a buyer for the ailing business.

Another Ouseburn-based business, Cobalt Hospitality LTD, owned and run by Kathryn Hodgkinson and Mark Collett has agreed to buy the business.

Mark and Kathryn also run artists studios and a cultural project space.

The cafe/bar will be a collaborative and socially orientated business with the intention of investing profits back into the arts.

The deal ensures that all jobs will be saved, along with the Ernest brand which will be nurtured and developed in exactly the same vein established by Gavin.

A small refurbishment is complete and the bar has re-opened for business.

Managing Director of Robson Scott, Eamonn Wall, said: “The deal has now concluded ensuring that Ernest is saved.

“The Ouseburn itself has a very distinctive atmosphere, and in order to retain that identity, it’s important that independent businesses such as Ernest Bar are able to not only survive but thrive.

“We wish Mark and Kathryn the best moving forward and anticipate that the business will go from strength to strength.”