Barnsley Glass Works bars closed over £100k in unpaid rent

The Salt House and Black + White are both run by True Independent Group

Barnsley Council has shut two bars owned by a councillor in its flagship Glass Works development over unpaid rent of more than £100,000.

Restaurant and cocktail bar The Salt House and Black + White, a craft ale and wine bar, were repossessed by the council's enforcement team on Monday.

Both were run by True Independent Group, which is owned by Darton East Liberal Democrat councillor Mat Crisp.

The council said the firm had failed to meet its lease and rental obligations.

However Mr Crisp said he had approached the authority earlier in the year and had since set up a payment plan to help cover the arrears.

He said rising prices had left the business struggling to cover costs but believed the issue was being dealt with.

He said learning the council had changed the locks at both venues had "knocked him for six".

'Creative cocktails'

"We naturally had difficulty in meeting the demands that we had agreed prior to cost increases, the rent being one of them," he said.

"Everybody is going through the same difficulties. We thought we were in a payment plan as of September, to clear the arears so now we are actively trying to resolve this and keep the businesses alive.

"We just want to trade through it," he added.

Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council said in a statement: "Unfortunately, there are substantial unpaid rents of over £100,000 across the leases for both premises.

The Salt House is described as an "immersive bar and restaurant experience"

"After more than a year of trying to resolve this, having regular contact with the business owner, and offering a range of payment options, we must regrettably now take this action to protect public money."

It said it would continue to pursue the money owed and urged anyone with a booking to contact the venue directly.

The Glass Works retail and leisure development in the town centre opened in 2021 and last year attracted about six million visits.

Speaking before The Salt House opened in April 2022, Mat Crisp, Managing Director of True Independent Group, said it would be Barnsley's "newest immersive bar and restaurant experience, combining creative cocktails with delicious dishes from some of the region's most talented chefs".

Black + White was described as a "European style café bar" serving alcoholic drinks alongside charcuterie and cheeses.