Closure fear for top restaurant

The Hastings, which launched just over two years ago, is thought to be in the hands of administrators – leaving creditors owed money and customers bitterly disappointed.

The venue in Hastings Place opened in October 2009 to great fanfare with award-winning new chef Warrick Dodds and star guest Coronation Street’s Kym Marsh.

Formerly The Sparling restaurant, before that a private members’ club called The Hastings Club, and prior to that the Conservative Club, it was taken over by Preston businessmen, millionaires Trevor and James Allan and other shareholder Mr Dodds, rebranding as The Hastings Bistro, employing some 30 staff.

But rumours are rife the venture has crashed.

Supplier Andrew Lanigan, of Lanigan’s fishmonger’s, Lytham, said he heard on Friday the firm had gone into administration.

“That’s what I have heard on the grapevine,” he said. He said his firm was owed money by the restaurant. Asked how much, he said “enough”. He added: “My sympathies lie with the excellent chef and staff there.”

Another supplier is butcher H Greaves & Son, Upholland.

A spokesman said: “It has gone into administration. We found out at the weekend – they owe us money. I won’t disclose how much. We have been struggling for a couple of months to get paid.”

The butcher has been supplying The Hastings since it opened and was shocked by the news.

“Yes, we thought it would keep going,” a spokesman said.

An entry on restaurant review website Tripadvisor said “where did they go??? hastings in lytham”

“having booked on Thursday a table for four friends travelling from Wirral) for tonight Sat, was surprised to discover when we arrived that it was closed. no sign to say why, no phone call to explain.. most disappointed.”

A council spokesman said: “Lytham restaurants and cafes contribute greatly to making the town a vibrant place to visit and we are saddened to hear of the demise of the Hastings, especially given the large influx of golf visitors expected this summer.”

All efforts to contact The Hastings management have failed.