Dan Davies, the owner of Rock Point Leisure Limited, said despite the court appearance, there will be no liquidation or winding up of the business
Victoria Road, New Brighton has seen major changes in recent years(Image: Colin Lane/Liverpool Echo)
The firm that helped turn a street in a Wirral seaside resort from derelict shops into a bustling hub is currently facing legal action by HMRC. A representative for Rock Point Leisure Limited appeared at the High Court in London this week following a winding up petition filed by HMRC in December last year.
A winding up petition is legal action taken by someone or an organisation against a company that owes them money. The court hearing was held on Wednesday, May 7, the same day another hearing was held at Wallasey Town Hall where the company’s Rockpoint Records was allowed to extend its operating hours.
But Dan Davies, the owner of Rock Point Leisure Limited, said despite the court appearance, there will be no liquidation or winding up of the business.
Rock Point Leisure Limited is behind the investment into shops and bars in Victoria Road, New Brighton and is widely credited with contributing to the regeneration of the seaside resort following years of decline. New Brighton now has some of the fastest rising house prices in the country and Mr Davies recently won a Wirral Award for his efforts.
Mr Davies told the ECHO: “I can confirm that there was a court appearance this week regarding HMRC debts. There will be no liquidation or winding up. We acknowledge that we owe money and we will pay the amount when it has been accurately determined.
“We required more time and this was granted by the judge, when our accountant present in court as our representative, explained he needed this to accurately determine the quantum of the actual debts. The HMRC debts are based on assessments and as soon as the amount has been agreed these will paid in agreement with HMRC.”
Victoria Road, once described as not the place to be, is now an increasingly popular destination for people visiting New Brighton and has been described as a haven for independent businesses. Murals are painted across most buildings, with the area often compared to the Baltic Triangle or Lark Lane.
HMRC said it did not comment on individual cases but a spokesperson said: “We take a supportive approach to dealing with customers who have tax debts and only file winding-up petitions once we’ve exhausted all other options, in order to protect taxpayers’ money.”
At the recent licensing hearing on May 7, Mr Davies said: “Seven years ago when I started this project, the road was looking very tired. Fifty percent of the businesses were closed, the square footage was nearer 75%.”
He said the road was now fully occupied, adding: “I hated seeing where the town I grew up in was going and I decided to do something about it.”
Responding to noise concerns raised by a few people living nearby, Mr Davies said he wanted a diverse range of shops on Victoria Road on what was once the resort’s original high street and they weren’t looking for a race to the bottom.
He told the committee Rockpoint Records was a place for people who didn’t have anywhere else to go if they weren’t open with a good clientele, adding: “I want to make the whole area as safe and as positive as possible. What we are looking for here is about the sustainability of the business.”
The bar highlighted rising utility bills and employment costs as an issue in recent years.
Going forward, Mr Davies told councillors he didn’t want the seaside resort to be somewhere people just lived in but worked too, adding: “We have got to try and make New Brighton a better place, a safer place, a place you want to grow up and spend your time in.”
The panel allowed Rockpoint Records to sell alcohol until midnight and stay open until 12.30am with extended opening hours for New Years, with alcohol sales until 2am and a closing time of 2.30am. No bottles could be emptied overnight, a number of policies needed to be put in place, and a minimum of one door supervisor on Fridays and Saturdays.