Leisure chain in administration

The bar, restaurant and hotel business has been placed in administration

One of Scotland's largest restaurant, bar and hotel businesses has been placed in administration.

Glasgow-based Dark Star Scotland employs about 280 people across 14 leased premises.

These include the well-known Budda bars in Glasgow as well as hotels in Ayr, Aberdeen and Dunfermline.

Administrators plan to continue trading with a view to selling the business as a going concern. There are no immediate plans for redundancies.

Joint administrators Kenny Craig and Tom MacLennan, of Tenon Recovery, said the administration followed that of other companies within the McKever group, whose owner Ally McKever, had a controlling stake in Dark Star.

Mr Craig said: "Dark Star has a portfolio of high quality bars, restaurants and hotels in good locations that are well-known in their local communities.

'Sad day'

"Whilst not immune from the recent economic downturn, the units were performing relatively well and we are confident that the business will appeal to companies already operating in the licensed trade, or to entrepreneurs keen to enter the sector.

"It is therefore very much business as usual whilst we focus on finding a buyer or buyers as soon as possible."

Mr McKever said: "This is another terribly sad day for all concerned.

"My colleagues and I are working with the administrator to secure the best outcome for both staff and creditors."