Celebrity restaurant owner from Wolverhampton sued by staff
A celebrity restaurant owner is being sued by disgruntled ex-staff following a row over unpaid wages when one of his swanky venues closed suddenly.
Riad Erraji, who grew up in Wolverhampton, was taken to court by former workers after his restaurant House shut in October.
The former husband of Atomic Kitten star Natasha Hamilton left chefs, bar staff and waitresses without a months pay when the venue in Worcester closed without warning.
The 38-year-old businessman, who also owns the plush Amanzi restaurant and Empire nightclub in Liverpool, has now been served with a county court judgement.
His latest upmarket restaurant opened in May 2013 but shut late last year costing workers between £9,000 and £11,000 in lost wages.
Court officers have now begun legal action against Mr Erraji and his companies Hamiltons Worcester Ltd and the Echelon Group to recoup the cash.
Worcester County Court heard Bailiffs raided the empty restaurant on January 16 to try and recover some of the cash - but found just mouldy coffee cups and kitchen furniture.
Enforcement officers have revealed they were dealing with a number of former staff who are owed up to £1,335 each.
The premises has now been reclaimed by Crown Estates, which owns the CrownGate Shopping Centre, where the restaurant was situated.
Ramsay Floyd, centre manager for the shopping centre, said: "We confirm that following the closure of the unit in October last year, House failed to reopen.
"The lease for the unit has now been brought to an end and the unit is vacant.
"This has allowed us to clean up the areas visible for the mall but the unit has not been let to a new tenant.
"However, we have had expressions of interest for some of the items left in the unit from local businesses."
Mr Erraji, who went to Smestow School, could not be contacted for comment yesterday (Wed).
House, which was opened with much fanfare in 2013, was described by Mr Erraji as a 'premier Worcester venue for premier people'.
His Liverpool venues are regular haunts for celebrities such as model Danielle Lloyd, X-factor singer Marcus Collins and WAG Dani Lawrence.
He is also close friends with singer Peter Andre as well as Corrie beauty Kym Marsh.
