Renowned chef Nico Simeone – the mastermind behind the popular Six by Nico business – has initiated legal proceedings against the owner of the building housing his Liverpool restaurant and is demanding more than £4.4 million in compensation.
The legal action comes after the eatery was forced to close its doors due to severe flooding, resulting in an “unhygienic and malodorous” environment with decaying floors.
According to reports from The Mail, Simeone contends that he had no alternative but to shut down the Liverpool venue in 2022. His company’s legal representatives argue that water ingress, caused by poorly sealed walls, inundated the premises, affecting a storage room, causing floor rot, and promoting mold growth.
The lawsuit targets the building’s freeholder, Highneal, seeking redress for incurred losses, funds for refurbishment, and support in relaunching the restaurant. Documents filed at London’s High Court reveal that Simeone’s firm had acquired the restaurant’s lease the previous year. Despite a significant refurbishment, the venue allegedly experienced persistent leaks since its occupation. Highneal denies any responsibility, asserting that a leak from the restaurant’s heavy-duty industrial dishwasher was the origin of the issue.
Hugh Jackson, the barrister representing Simeone’s company, informed the court that water infiltration affected both the ground floor and basement. Despite lodging a complaint with Highneal, the problem persisted, leading to continuous water ingress. The situation culminated in a substantial flood in December 2021, causing damage to inventory and equipment and rendering the basement unusable.
Jackson highlighted, “By around January 2022, the basement rooms had become so damp, mouldy, and unhygienic that the claimant had to instruct its staff to cease using them.” However, the building’s freeholder, represented by barrister Elizabeth Fitzgerald, contended that they conducted thorough investigations to determine the cause of the flooding, attributing blame to the restaurant. Fitzgerald accused Six by Nico of failing to meet rental obligations, amounting to approximately £60,000, leading to lease forfeiture.
As the legal proceedings are in the early stages, the case is yet to be presented before a judge in court.