ADMINISTRATORS have been appointed at two York businesses hit by the financial collapse of a local hospitality entrepreneur.

Baker Tilly yesterday took over the Guy Fawkes Inn, in High Petergate, and Marmadukes, in St Peter’s Grove.

Both premises were left in turmoil on Tuesday when local businessman David Hattersley lost control of them.

Although both are believed to have been trading well, they had large loans outstanding and the Nationwide Building Society took control.

Baker Tilly had yet to issue a formal statement when The Press went to print, but it is understood the firm is confident of rebuilding the businesses and finding a buyer in due course. All jobs are expected to be protected.

Mr Hattersley had criticised the Nationwide yesterday for failing to appoint an administrator straight away.

A spokesman for the building society said today: “As with all cases of this nature, there are certain legal requirements which must be fulfilled.

“These have taken longer than we envisaged and, indeed, would have liked. However, the issues have now been resolved and both businesses will be up and running again very shortly.”

Meanwhile, two food supply firms today accused Mr Hattersley and his de Bretton hospitality group of leaving them severely out of pocket by failing to pay bills.

A member of York Catering Supplies said: “I’m not sure exactly the amount, but he owes us a significant amount. It’s less than a five figure sum but it’s more than a small four-figure sum.”

He said the money had been owed for about a year.

Another supplier, a specialist fine beef supplier from the Scottish Borders, said he was owed almost £1,000 by Mr Hattersley.

The man, who declined to be named, said: “He does owe me quite a lot. For a fairly small business, it’s a big amount – it’s still, just, in the hundreds.”

He said: “He (Mr Hattersley) was a good payer, then it just dried up.”

Mr Hattersley’s loss of the Guy Fawkes and Marmadukes follows the collapse last September of his building business, which ceased trading with debts of £120,000.

Mr Hattersley opened Marmadukes in 2006 and the Guy Fawkes in April 2008, after renovating the old Guy Fawkes Hotel.

Mr Hattersley said: “My team and I have worked on nothing else other than securing the future of our businesses since late 2008, and we have proved the viability of all our hospitality interests during that time. This is unquestionable.

“Our plans secured jobs and suppliers. The Nationwide Building Society’s decision to call in administrators to two of our businesses leaves me in a position where I can’t do anything. My options are severely limited. It didn’t have to be this way at all. I’m just a simple bloke trying to run a few quality businesses and employ a hundred odd people. But what do I know? I’m not a banker am I? They run the world these days.”