Company behind Le Chateau seeks to be wound up

The company that operates one of the best-known restaurants in Athlone is seeking to appoint a liquidator. Last week a notice was posted in the national press stating that Westside Restaurant Limited, which trades as Restaurant Le Chateau, was to be liquidated. The notice stated that a meeting of the company"s creditors would be held at the Athlone Springs Hotel on October 20 for the purpose of appointing a liquidator to wind up the company and to appoint committee of inspection. Chef Steven Linehan, proprietor of the restaurant with his wife Martina, told the Westmeath Independent in July that the restaurant was operating in 'challenging times' and had seen a downturn in its share of the market over the previous year. However, he said at that stage that there were no plans to close and the restaurant was making changes to its pricing and other structures in order to respond to the economic challenges. Mr Linehan could not be reached for a further comment at the time of going to press. Situated in a converted Presbyterian church at St Peter"s Port on the west side of the town, Restaurant Le Chateau won the Bord Bia "Atmospheric Restaurant of the Year" award in 1999.