Liquidators look to sell Vesuvio as creditors claim $640k
Sunday, 26 October 2025
A popular jazz and tapas bar tucked away in a 1930s courtyard in Christchurch is up for sale, as creditors claim upwards of $640,000 from the company behind it.
A first liquidator’s report for The Courtyard Restaurant Ltd has revealed the hefty debts that prompted its liquidation in the High Court at Christchurch in September.
Known for its high-end wines and comfortable setting, Vesuvio opened in 1992 in the city centre on Oxford Tce, before closing in 2007 and reopening seven years later in Merivale.
The Official Assignee’s first report said “failure to pay tax” was the reason given for the liquidation, and it was looking to sell the business or its assets.
It said the liquidator “is currently in discussions with one party, but has other interested parties”.
The report estimated liabilities of $15,400 to employees, $176,000 to Inland Revenue and $453,000 to unsecured creditors, which included Pegasus Wines, EC Credit Control, Inland Revenue again, and more.
Coca-Cola, Garage Project and Skope Finance were among the secured creditors, though their security agreements were not detailed.
The largest company assets listed were $130,000 of plant, equipment, furniture and fittings, a $13,400 ice-maker and fridge, and $8800 cash in the bank.
The expected dividend to creditors was yet to be determined.
Next steps for the liquidation included a full investigation of the company records. It was expected the liquidation would conclude within six months.
In September, Associate Owen Judge Paulsen heard in the High Court that the company had made no payments to Inland Revenue since May last year.
At the time, a lawyer said there was some contact with a tax agent on behalf of the company in March, but the agent ceased acting for the company some time ago.
After the bar relocated to Merivale in 2007, it closed over over the Covid-19 lockdown, expanding into and around a previously-shared 1930s courtyard. During this time, founder Matt Lingens suddenly died in June 2021.
Vesuvio amassed a 4.6 star rating across 363 Google reviews. It would open from 3pm to late.
Director Jon Gregory was approached for comment.