Perth restaurant in voluntary administration

The Ku De Ta restaurant complex, which opened its doors on Perth's Swan River 15 months ago, has been put in voluntary administration.

KPMG administrators told employees on July 6 they could not guarantee the full payment of staff wages.

Executive chef Liam Atkinson put out an Instagram post saying the decision was made to "show the company, who have decided not to pay its staff and suppliers, are not getting away with taking advantage of us.”.

He thanked Ku De Ta's supporters, suppliers and all the loyal staff.

"You guys have been an inspiration," his Instagram post said.

KPMG administrator Clint Joseph confirmed that Atkinson and about 25 other staff members walked out on Saturday and that Ku Dining and The West restaurants had been closed indefinitely while remaining staff would work at The Deck, He said the Deck would operate as usual.

"It will continue to trade for the time being, but the Ku Dining and The West will be closed … it is definitely the administrators' intention to continue to trade and find a buyer for the business," Mr Joseph told the ABC.

He said administrators were still trying to determine whether wages for the entire fortnight, including wages accrued before their appointment, would be paid.

He said that depended on what funds were available.

The other unknown question was whether suppliers would receive all funds owed to them.

Regular customer Frank LeFaucheur blamed it on WA's economic downturn. He said this  had affected a lot of restaurants in the city.

"I go to lunch with a group of guys once a month, type of thing, but a lot of people used to go to lunch every Friday and they don't anymore, and that's an indicator," Mr LeFaucheur told the ABC.

WA Opposition Leader Mike Nahan said appointing administrators was a sign showed international tourism in Perth was struggling.

"It's unfortunate, it's an iconic facility, but it's an indication that all was not right with our international tourism sector,” Mr Nahan told the ABC.

10th July 2018