PROCEEDINGS to wind up a business which ran a town centre restaurant - closed last year after less than six months - have been started by Companies House.

Gioia Italiano in Church Street, Blackburn, opened at the end of November 2017 but shut in May last year. Earlier this week Companies House, the official registrar of businesses, issued a ‘First Gazette notice for compulsory strike off’.

The restaurant was run by Mike Hajewskyj and his partner Pam Bates. Since May, Blackburn with Darwen Council has been trying to contact the owners to recover the premises so they can be re-let. It is also understood to be seeking thousands owed in business rates and costs associated with the restaurant.

The official Companies House notice against Gioia Italiano Ltd , which is still registered as ‘active’, follows it failure to file accounts up to January 31, 2018 which were due on October 25.

It says: “The Registrar of Companies gives notice that, unless cause is shown to the contrary, at the expiration of two months from the above date the name of Gioia Italiano Ltd will be struck off the register and the company will be dissolved.”

Cllr Andy Kay, Blackburn with Darwen Council’s finance boss, said: “We have already issued proceedings for termination of the lease. Our lawyers will continue with proceedings to recover any moneys owed by the company.”

Two friends Mr Hajewski - Danny McDonough and Nathan Howard - said yesterday they were still each owed hundreds of pounds by the company despite issuing legal proceedings in February last year,

Mr McDonough said: “It is what I expected. I don’t think I will get my money back now.”

Mr Howard, who obtained a county court judgement against Gioia Italiano, said: “I am not surprised. I have given up hope of getting anything back.”

Mr McDonough, of Eventech UK, claims he is owed more than £1,000 for installing sound, lighting and CCTV equipment . Mr Howard, of Howard Decorating and Building Contractors, claims he is owed hundreds for work done to prepare the 70-seater restaurant for its opening.

The Lancashire Telegraph was unable to contact Mr Hajewskyj yesterday.

As well as a restaurant, Gioia had a quick-service deli counter, a wine bar and a play area.