Karen's Diner goes bust as customers left angry
The company known for the infamous Karen's Diner experience has ceased operations and entered liquidation, leaving customers out of pocket following a cancelled event in Plymouth. Viral Ventures (UK) Ltd is facing "mounting financial pressure" and has appointed liquidators.
Patrons who enjoyed the unique dining concept, which boasts the slogan "s*** service with good food" and features intentionally impolite staff, have been advised that they may need to claim ticket costs from their card providers or register as creditors, though they've been warned by Frost Group Ltd, the insolvency firm handling the case, that they are unlikely to receive any payout as "At present there is no prospect of a dividend."
Jess Hibbitt from Plymouth, who had purchased tickets for a "sold out" event at the Duke of Cornwall Hotel last Saturday, arrived only to be informed by the hotel that Karen's Diner had pulled out. She expressed her frustration to PlymouthLive, saying, "It seems like they cancelled with the venue with no word to us. The venue told us and we were turned away on the day, after paying for the tickets and parking."
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Following the cancellation, she found it impossible to contact the company and is now seeking a refund. On the Trustpilot website, one woman expressed her frustration after showing up for a Plymouth event, claiming: "Got to the venue, and after asking a few members of hotel staff we were told that Karen's Diner cancelled the event. Did they let us know? Of course not.", reports Plymouth Live.
"Have they offered a refund? Of course not. I will be fighting for my refund now, and taking this further. How is this even allowed? ".
In advance of the incident, The Duke of Cornwall Hotel had already taken to Facebook to inform customers about the cancellation, advising them three days prior to the event scheduled for Saturday, September 14: "Please be aware that Karen's Diner, supposed to take place this Saturday, September 14, is no longer going ahead. Please contact your original point of purchase in regard to your ticket. We apologise for any inconvenience caused."
Meanwhile, liquidators Jeremy Frost and Patrick Wadsted from Bromley-based Frost Group have been managing the affairs of Viral Ventures UK Ltd, the enterprise responsible for Karen's Diner On Tour and Broadway Events On Tour. Financial difficulties, culminating in a creditor's winding-up petition, led to their appointment.
Mr Frost commented on the situation: "It is always a challenging moment when a business, especially one with the reach of Viral Ventures, is forced into liquidation. We understand the disappointment and concern, particularly for those with deposits for upcoming shows. Our priority is to guide those affected through this process and ensure the necessary steps are taken."
Viral Ventures, known for its unique dining experiences, is facing a crisis with 77 staff members on zero-hour contracts and over 2,500 clients who have prepaid for events that are now highly unlikely to go ahead.
Mr Frost commented: "We extend our sympathy to the employees, customers, and creditors at this difficult time. We encourage anyone impacted to visit the website for guidance on the next steps and available resources."
Those affected by the company's troubles are being directed to the website https://viralventures. claims, which confirms the cancellation of all events.
The Karen's Diner concept, which began in Australia and saw the liquidation of the company there last year, has also been hit hard.
In Manchester, two establishments known as Karen's Diner and Broadway Diner closed their doors, one after just eight months, due to a company "reshuffle" focusing on pop-up events like Karen's Diner On Tour.
Such events were billed as including food, as well as party games and being subjected to ‘insults’ from the staff. They had attracted celebrities such as Davina McCall and Katie Hopkins.
During the past 18 months, Karen’s Diner events have taken place several times in Plymouth, including in The Custom House, on the Barbican. A PlymouthLive reporter attended one and said staff “sit with you and just hurl insults at you all the way through” the meal.
The Karen’s Diner website said the Duke of Cornwall event had been sold out and added: “It should only take us 48 hours to insult everyone in this city.” Just 48 hours after the Plymouth event was scheduled to go ahead, the company was in liquidation.