All Star Factory/Viking Bowl/Liquid no more!

[Tubthumper]

Good riddance!

God, you're a bundle of joy Stavros!

[dragonfly]

lets hope that this time the owners don't get another chance to buy it back

I just can't understand how on earth they could let it run itself into the ground - doesn't take Sir Alan Sugar to work out that all it needed was decently priced deals aimed at families to get them in for meal/bowl/cinema and bar could have been its own entity for over 18's

Just needs someone with a bit of business acumen to buy it

[Bobinovich]

It's ironic really that a business of this nature that has something to offer the community goes bankrupt, and yet if it was a bank, the government would have probably stepped in and spent the tax payers money to save it.

If the current owners had bothered ploughing some of the money made from the place to keep it in decent condition (esp. the bowling lanes), and hadn't alienated half the population of Caithness with mis-management, then it would probably be worth throwing some tax payers money at it.

However there would have been many more howls of dissent if they had received a single penny of tax payers money - especially when they have systematically run the place into the ground and spent the bare minimum on staffing and maintentance, while still charging extortionate prices! There's nothing worse than trying to keep half a dozen hyper kids happy while you wait for someone to come and fix the lanes - and that's before you even start your game !

As it is I prefer to take the kids to Inverness - Rollerbowl, Vue Cinema, Aquadome and, when the weather's decent, Whin Park to let off some steam!

[BINBOB]

It's ironic really that a business of this nature that has something to offer the community goes bankrupt, and yet if it was a bank, the government would have probably stepped in and spent the tax payers money to save it.

Surely u do not expect the government to bail this place out,or indeed any other place like it...............this is due to bad management by people who should stick to their day jobs!!

[Gizmo]

Surely u do not expect the government to bail this place out,or indeed any other place like it...............this is due to bad management

Eh...isn't that the same as ALL the banks?

[BINBOB]

Eh...isn't that the same as ALL the banks?

YES...

[crayola]

I would have loved to buy it, but the biggest commercial mortgage available is 75% LTV and I didn't have 25% of what they were asking for the place. (Don't think a 2% deposit would have been acceptable!)

How much do/did they want for it?

[teddybear1873]

I've just been informed from a reliable source that the All Star Factory/Viking Bowl/Liquid has gone into liquidation again! I believe the doors are closed as of today.

I think more people would have gone if they kept there prices lower. When a new film arrived it was weeks after the release after anywhere else.

It lasted longer than I thought.........I'm sure the file sharing programs didn't help.

[Aaldtimer]

[quote=Bobinovich;600635]If the current owners had bothered ploughing some of the money made from the place to keep it in decent condition (esp. the bowling lanes), and hadn't alienated half the population of Caithness with mis-management, then it would probably be worth throwing some tax payers money at it.

However there would have been many more howls of dissent if they had received a single penny of tax payers money - especially when they have systematically run the place into the ground and spent the bare minimum on staffing and maintentance, while still charging extortionate prices!

I think quite enough of tax payers money(twice) has already been scooped up by this lot on incompetents/rip-off merchants that they should be given any more!

[ter21wat]

How much do/did they want for it?

My friend was following it on some website, i'm not sure which one it was, but it was originally for sale for around £750K, it then dropped to £495K but still no one was interested. Presumably there was a lot of debt to go with it.

[cazmanian_minx]

How much do/did they want for it?

http://www.christie.com/search/brief/8/33752?1254206135

It was on at £650k when I was looking at it, but has now dropped to £495k.

Edit: They've also added a lease option, which wasn't there before.

[buggyracer]

Surely u do not expect the government to bail this place out,or indeed any other place like it...............this is due to bad management by people who should stick to their day jobs!!

and the banks are different how?

[MR_A]

Taken from the for sale web page,

Excellent multi-faceted business opportunity - True

Only cinema north of Inverness - True

Two auditoria (240) - True

Same owners for 14 years - Hence going bust twice!

6-lane bowling alley, bar and restaurant - Bowling lanes and machinery need ripped out and replaced as in a dire state and constantly breaking down! Bar is horrible dark and bleak, was far better before the change and felt much, much bigger! Resteraunt? When was the last time there was an actual qualified chef in house? Food was appaling at best!

Lease option available - and still line their pockets.. I dont think so

I see there is no mention of the state of the place, grotty stained carpets and massive holes in the walls of the pool room.

Lets hope someone with an ounce of credability takes it over and makes it a success.

[Connor.]

You've nailed it there Mr A.

The place is literally falling apart due to their complete disregard for creating a friendly establishment for all the family.

[*Martin*]

Regardless off the fact that everyone knows the place was a shambles it's a shame to think this has cost quite a few people their jobs.

[MR_A]

I'm totally with you on that one Martin.

Thankfully alot of the staff were bairns so they didnt rely on the job to live but for the few that were full time and did rely on the job its a sad, sad sorry state to be in!!!

[ter21wat]

Regardless off the fact that everyone knows the place was a shambles it's a shame to think this has cost quite a few people their jobs.

Your right Martin, its a terrible shame for everyone whos lost their jobs, its not easy finding full or part time work in the current climate. I hope they are at least able to pay all their ex employees what they are due

[BINBOB]

and the banks are different how?

IF u do not know the difference....I am not telling u.

[buggyracer]

IF u do not know the difference....I am not telling u.

[cazmanian_minx]

With a bit of luck the administrators will be able to sell it quickly and everyone will be re-employed. I wonder if one of the chains would take it on? It would be nice to have Orange Wednesday up here.